Page 148 of When There Was You
“You see that?” Butch asks, his timbre sending a shiver through me.
“Mm-hmm.”
“You’re like the sunrise, emerging from the unknown, gaining strength as you rise, bathing me in your warmth, your abundant light, your rare beauty, all with the promise of a new day.”
My heart stutters.
“You brighten my entire world, Sundance. And I want to wake up every single day for the rest of my life with your sunrise.”
Before I can say one word, a jewelry box appears in his hand.
Oh my god.
“I want you to be mine forever.”
My eyes prick, my throat constricting as I open the black velvet box with trembling fingers. My breath catches. A sizeable pear-shaped yellow diamond surrounded by a double halo of smaller yellow and white diamonds sits in the center of a platinum band. I’ve never seen anything similar or so stunning.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“Marry me, Jacqueline Hall.”
I twist enough to press my palm against his rugged,spectacular face. My gaze fastens on his emerald eyes, so full of love and hope and promise. “Augustus James Hamilton, Jr., it would be my honor to marry you.”
Our mouths join for a deep, intimate kiss, sealing our sentiments.
“May I?” he asks, holding out his palm.
I surrender the box and seconds later, Butch places the ring in its rightful place on my left hand.
“Thank fuck it fits. I had to measure your finger while you were asleep.”
My laugh rings out as I return my gaze to that gorgeous symbol of our love, and of light—the light between us. “It’s so beautiful, Butch.”
“Like you.”
“You’re an incredible man. What you said…bringing me here this morning. I’m…you’re full of surprises.” I’m so overcome, I’m practically inarticulate.
“I’m full of love. Foryou, wife-to-be.”
“And Emmy’s okay with this?”
He stifles a laugh. “After we’ve lived in sin for months?”
I mock glare.
“After my parents lectured me to make an honest woman out of you?”
“So…you’re proposing under duress?” I tease.
“This proposal is all mine, Sundance. From me to you, because of whatIwant. You’re mine. And I’m yours. But making it official matters to me. Living with each other has only proven to me what I already knew. We’re good together. Was everyone else on board? Hell yeah.”
He fishes out a note and hands it wordlessly to me.
Please marry my daddy.Then we can be a family forever and he’ll never be a grumpy monster again.
Your favorite 8 ¾ year old,
Emmy
