Page 78 of Happily Never Forever

I rolled my eyes but let her lead me through the house and to the ballroom where the music was coming from. I recognized it asFall at Your FeetbyCrowded House. It was my all-time favorite song.

Freddie pushed me into the room in front of her, and I heard the door shut and lock behind me. I looked back to confirm she had locked me in and shook my head at her. The music was turned down to a comfortable noise level, and I turned toward the room, nearly falling over my own feet when I saw Rhett standing there, a single tulip in his hands.

He might only be holding a single flower, but the room was covered in them. A smile spread across my face, and I quickly closed the distance between us. Rhett met me in the middle of the big room, handing me the flower.

“For you.”

I couldn’t stop smiling and took the flower from him. “Thank you. But what’s all this for? Not that I don’t love it. Because I do. Love it, I mean. But it’s not our anniversary. At least not that I can think of.”

He stepped closer and pulled me into his arms, swaying from side to side. I knew how much he hated to dance, so him doing this for me meant the world.

“Do you remember when I first taught you how to dance?” Rhett asked, his voice a raspy whisper.

“How could I forget? But I’m surprised you’d remember,” I teased him. He had always been busy, playing sports, going to parties. The last thing on his mind would be an impromptu dance session.

“I would never forget the moment I fell in love with you.”

My steps faltered, and I leaned back. “Huh?” was all I managed to croak out.

“You were too young, things got crazy and I left. But you have to understand that I wish things could have been different. I would have waited for you. Without hesitation.”

“You would have? Why didn’t you?”

“I left because of what happened, but I came back a few months later, without dad knowing. I saw you with Marty.”

Ah, yes, Marty. One of the many bad choices I had made in my life. He was one I regretted the most. And now that I knew that he was what kept Rhett away, the regret ran even deeper.

“You came back for me?”

“I did. You looked happy with him. I never went back again. You can call it misplaced pride. Something I regret more than anything in this world.”

“No regrets, remember? We both made mistakes, and in my case some terrible decisions but we’re together now. Where we’re meant to be.”

“We are. And I never want us to be apart again.” Rhett stopped dancing and dropped down to one knee. My heart missed a beat, and I swallowed to stop my throat from closing up. “Emmerson McAllister, I love you with all my heart. You were the missing piece that I was searching for all these years. Please make me whole again and marry me. Spend your life with me. Give me your happily never forever.”

I nodded my head wildly, too stunned to form words.

“I need to hear you say it, babe. Otherwise it looks just like you’re having a heart attack.”

I laughed and got down on my knees in front of him. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Of course it’s a yes. It will always be yes. Because I love you and you have always been my happily never forever. I love you.”

He hugged me tight and kissed the crap out of me. Clapping made us pull apart.

“Congratulations, guys! Can I call you dad now?” Freddie yelled and ran at us, throwing herself on top of Rhett, who was still kneeling. He caught her and laughed. “No. Definitely not. You can call me Rhett.”

Freddie let go of him and fake pouted. “Fine. Be like that. But I’m going to tell everyone at school that I’m going to be a Cormack.”

He sat her back on the floor and ruffled her hair. “That you can do. Because that’s what you are already.”

Freddie beamed at him, and if I wasn’t mistaken her eyes went glassy for a minute. Oma was next in congratulating us but made us get up off the floor first. Josie was clapping excitedly, not sure why everyone was so happy but gladly joining into the celebrations.

Rhett caught my hand and slid the ring on my finger. “Just to make it official.”

Six months ago, I didn’t think my life would turn out this way. But princes are apparently real and my fairytale had just come true. Here’s to my happily never forever. And two kids. Not four. Because there’s no way. Maybe three. But no more.

The End.