Been There Done That (Leffersbee #1) - Hope Ellis Page 0,141

expression. God. My heart was going to explode.

“All I want is you. I want to live with you, laugh with you, make love with you. Have kids with your hair and heart. And then make up with you over all the stupid things I’m sure I’ll do.”

He took a breath.

Then lowered to one knee.

“So, I’m asking you to take me on. Full-time. I want to belong to you forever. No take-backs. Just you and me. And forever.”

My vision blurred. I blinked away tears, regaining vision just in time to see him holding an open box out to me.

It couldn’t be.

I reached in, pulled the ring out.

It was my ring. The one I’d returned to him all those years ago.

“Why do you still have this?” I wailed, and he smiled.

“Because I knew it was just a matter of time. Because forever does last always. It does when it’s us.”

I ugly cried, swiping at my falling tears with both hands.

Nick bit his lip, still on one knee. “So? Is it a yes?”

“Yes,” I gasped, and behind us a door banged open and a crowd of people spilled around us, laughing, yelling, congratulating us.

I didn’t even hear them. I only had eyes for Nick.

He surged to his feet, slid the ring on my hand. I kissed him with all I had, sliding my hand into his hair and holding him to me.

I never wanted to let go.

“Thank God,” a familiar voice next to me said.

Leigh. She’d circled back.

“Welcome to the family, Nick. This is great news. Maybe we can sit down and talk soon? Here, I’m just going to slide my business card in your pocket. Zora knows how to get ahold me too.”

Ugh, Tavia.

“This is wonderful, baby girl.” My mother. “But save something for the wedding night, will y’all?”

I pulled away, reluctantly, already hungry for the next time we could be alone.

A short woman with a gray pageboy and snazzy red glasses claimed my arms. “Zora! I’m your new Aunt Nan! I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

Nick met my eyes over her head. Forever, he mouthed.

And my heart was glad.

Chapter Forty

Zora

The community center was transformed again.

But not for focus groups.

For our wedding reception.

Nick had flown in an ultra-expensive, ultra-pretentious wedding planner who ultimately drove us both crazy. But now, on this very special day, as I looked around the auditorium, I had to admit she was worth every penny and aggravation.

The auditorium was transformed into an enchanted, eternally fall forest. I grinned at the faux trees and their gorgeous, underlit fall foliage. Millions of twinkly fairy lights lent the darkened room an airy, ethereal feel. A rotation of Coldplay and Motown hits blasted from the hidden speakers.

I grinned at Nick. Less than an hour ago, I’d walked down an autumn leaves-lined aisle to meet him at the altar. I’d been bursting, full of so much love, certainty and anticipation I’d forced myself to maintain the dignified, measured pace on my father’s arm.

“Forever,” Nick had whispered in my ear as he took my arm, and I sealed that promise with my own vows.

I felt complete. I couldn’t wait for our new life to start.

We sat at the couples’ table at the foot of the room and watched the interesting side effects of our families, coworkers, and friends socializing.

It was comical.

Walker stalked bridesmaids. Tavia worked our reception like a networking event, and Audre made it clear we’d interrupted her life at UCLA by getting married mid-semester. My bridesman, Jackson, sniffed at the heels of one of Nick’s employee as they shuffled along to the electric slide. Aunt Nan and my mother loudly discussed baby paraphernalia at the nearby table and negotiated visitation for grandchildren who did not yet exist.

We’d gotten married a month to the day after Nick proposed.

We just didn’t want to wait any longer than we had to. We’d been separated long enough.

Finalizing the Nick and Zora Rossi Foundation would take slightly longer, but it would all be worth it. Nick had convinced me to partner with him to implement my ideas in Green Valley and far beyond. Thought leaders, policy makers, and clinicians had already pledged their services. We’d outlined our initiatives with great excitement, thrilled we would address barriers to care at personal, structural, cultural, and organizational levels. He was excited to learn more about lobbying and advocacy at a national level.

Maybe he’d be the politician he’d always wanted to be after all.

I was excited for what the future offered, what Nick and I could offer the