Page 83 of Return

Vivian’s heart stopped when he held out his hand, revealing a small, ring-shaped box.

“Dean—” she started.

“Just hear me out,” he interjected, opening the box. The ring inside wasn’t enormous or flashy. It was perfect, simple, beautiful. “I would never try to replace Phil, and I’m not asking you to forget him. I know how much you loved him, and I didn’t have to see you two together to know that he loved you just as much. That love is a part of you, and it always will be.”

His voice shook slightly as he added, “But I’m hoping that there’s room in your heart for both of us.”

A sob caught in her throat.

“I’m asking for the chance to prove I’m in this for the long haul. I don’t know much about being a dad, but⁠—”

“You’re a natural,” she whispered.

Dean gave her a small smile before forging on. “I promise I will spend the rest of my life loving that little girl, doing my very best to be there for Pip.”

He took the ring out of the box. “And for you.”

Vivian stared at it as a tear slid down her cheek.

“I asked Victor’s permission,” he added, knowing just how much her brother meant to her, how important he was in her life.

“What did he say?” she asked.

“He told me if I hurt you, he’d bury me where no one would ever find the body.”

Vivian laughed through a sob. “Sounds like Victor.”

Dean held the ring with his forefinger and thumb, both of them glancing at the diamond.

“I told him we could have a long engagement. That I wasn’t trying to rush or pressure you. I stand by what I’ve always said, sunshine. We’re doing this on your timeline. So if we’re engaged for years⁠—”

“To hell with that!” she spat out, taking the ring from him and sliding it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Knowing her thoughtful man, he no doubt asked Belle for her ring size. “I don’t want a long engagement, and I don’t want a long proposal.” She waved her finger around in a circle. “Wrap it up.”

He laughed. “Will you marry me, Vivian?”

“Hell yes!”

Dean kissed the knuckle just above the ring, then he kissed her, slow and tender and full of every promise neither of them needed to say aloud.

When they broke apart, he lifted her hand again, studying his ring with a pleased expression.

“Summer wedding?” he asked.

She nodded. “That would be wonderful. I wonder if McKenna and Tank would be interested in a double ceremony,” she said jokingly.

“I’ll marry you whenever and wherever you want, Viv. I can’t wait to call you my wife.” He kissed her again, but this time, it was brief. When he pulled away, his expression had changed, suddenly nervous, almost boyish.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“There’s one more thing I wanted to ask you. I’ve been thinking about Pip, and about us. I was wondering how you would feel about adding to our family?”

Vivian stared at him, the tears flowing freely now. “A baby?”

He nodded. “If you’re not interested in having more children, I completely understand.”

Vivian threw her arms around him. “Oh, Dean. There’s nothing I want more.” She’d never—ever—let herself consider having another child, that possibility feeling as unlikely as her falling in love again. Dean had proved her wrong on both counts.

And suddenly, she realized the ring wasn’t the best present he’d given her tonight.