Page 75 of The Dare

“You okay?” he asks, and I nod, but looking up at the sign ‘Fine and Antique Jewelry’ I ask him again.

Keeping my hand in his and ignoring the passers-by, he gets down on one knee.

“I want you to pick the ring, whatever you want,” he says, and I feel my heart literally stop in my chest as I clutch at it, trying to breathe.

“…But before I put a ring on your finger, I have to ask you. Need to tell you. I love you more than anything, Natasha. And I’d be honored, a happier man and a father to be if you’d say yes to being my wife. Will you marry me?”

It feels like time has stopped and I can’t even move my mouth let alone say it.

But once I hear the small applause from people who’ve stopped to watch him propose, I find my voice.

Looking down at my man, I tell him the truth, no dare required this time around.

“Yes. Yes, Michael. Yes. Yes.Yes!”

Extended Epilogue

Six Months Later

Michael

We’re not supposed to see each other before the ceremony, but everything else so far has been unconventional, so we figure it's okay.

“But a double weddingandyour parents getting their vows renewed?” I have to ask. It’s been running around in my mind for months now.

Natasha sighs, one hand resting on her belly and the other reaching for mine.

I think it’s for affection, but she soon guides it to the back of her wedding gown, asking if I can loosen the bodice a little.

Or a lot.

“You know my dad by now…” she reminds me, making a little sound of relief once her dress isn’t so tight anymore.

“I know, I know,” I smile, shaking my head still not quite ready to take it all in. It’s funny how her parents' trip back home to check on their daughter is what finally brought them back together.

“It’s just moreeconomical,” Natasha says in a gruff voice, doing the worst impression of her dad’s voice I’ve heard ever, which makes us both laugh until she feels our baby kicking.

“Oooh.” She winces a little. “Someone’son dad’s side,” she says, gnawing at her lip and gripping my hand until it passes.

“He always wants to pay foreverythinghimself,” I recall aloud.

His daughter’s wedding and Suzanna’s.

Both girls decided one night that they were going to get married at the same time, so there would never be an argument about who got married first.

Patrick wanted to pay his way, but once he saw some prices he was okay with it being taken care of by someone else.

And not to be outdone. Neil decided that because he was paying for two weddings, he and Renee could renew their wedding vows at the same time, seeing as they only ever separated and never technically divorced.

Romantic, I know.

I would have preferred marrying my wife on my own terms. On our own, just the three of us.

But once I saw how much it meant to Natasha to have her wedding day the same as Suzanna’s, then seeing how much closer as a family they were because of Neil and Renee…

Jesus. It reads like something out of a dollar novel, but if that’s what Natasha wants, I’m happy when she’s happy.

“Are you still going with the same gift for mom and dad?” she asks, raising a brow as if to make double sure it’s still gonna happen.