After All by Kristen Proby Page 0,73

can’t wait! I promise, I’ll help with everything. You won’t have to do everything by yourself. I mean, I don’t love the idea of changing poopy diapers, but if I have to, I will. Having a sister is going to be awesome.

I know I haven’t been easy, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Nora. Grandma said that sometimes we hurt the people we love the most, and I guess I was just acting out, trying to hurt you as much as I was hurting. Because I love you so much. Even before you and Dad got together, you’ve been there for me. I love spending time with you and helping you decorate your apartment. I hope we still do those things.

I never really thought about my dad falling in love. It’s weird. But if he’s going to be with someone, I’m so glad he’s with you. Because you’re the best! You make us laugh and you make my dad really, really happy. So thanks for that.

You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.

And now, Dad’s gonna ask you a really (really is underlined four times) important question, okay?

Love,

Gabrielle Shaw

I fold the letter and tuck it away, and when I look up, Carter is kneeling on one knee before me.

“Oh my God.”

He grins, that dimple that I love so much deep in his left cheek, and reaches for my hand.

“I did this wrong before, and I apologize for that,” he begins. I bite my lip, listening intently to every single word. I want to sear this moment into my brain. “I’ve wanted to propose to you for weeks. I’ve carried a ring in my pocket, waiting for the perfect time.

“But that moment didn’t come, and now I know why. And no, I’m not ready now because we’re having a baby, or because I feel obligated to link our lives together. Obligation isn’t a part of this at all, Nora, and I want to make that clear.”

“I understand.”

He licks his lips, and for just a moment, I see a flash of nervousness in his ocean-blue eyes.

“I also realize why it was hard for me to put into words how much I love you. I’ve never loved anyone else the way I do you, Nora. You will never know a day when you’re unloved by me, because your soul is so tangled in mine, there will never be a time that I’d let you go.

“There’s a magic in what we have together. You’ve been a constant in my life for so long, and yet, falling in love with you was so easy, I could have done so with my eyes closed. I laugh harder with you. I feel more with you. And at the end of the day, whenever I hear a joke or need to share something, it’s you I want to share it with.

“I trust you with my daughter, with her heart. And she looks at you like you’ve hung the moon, even when she’s angry. And, unfortunately, there will be plenty of angry moments, but there will be happy ones, too.

“I want you next to me during all of it. As my partner. As my best friend. As my wife.”

He leans in and presses a sweet kiss to my cheek.

“Will you please marry me, Nora?”

“Oh yes.” He slips the ring on my finger, and I frown. “This isn’t the same ring you had the other day.”

“That ring was cursed,” he says with a laugh. “And you’d already seen it. This moment called for something fresh and new.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and he spins me in a circle, right here on the beach as the sun slides into the water.

“I love you so much,” I say before I kiss his neck.

“I love you,” he says. “And now, I’m going to take my fiancée back to our condo, so I can make love to her all damn night.”

“That’s the best idea you’ve ever had.”

Mornings at the beach are my favorite.

Oh, who am I kidding? Everything at the beach is my favorite.

But this morning, I’m sitting on the balcony, sipping decaf coffee and watching the water.

Last night was unexpected.

I stare down at the huge rock on my finger as it sparkles in the sunshine.

I figured Carter would propose eventually, but he went above and beyond any of my expectations. And then we came back here and he made good on his word, making love to me until the sun came up.

So it was a slow morning.

I pulled on a swimsuit cover-up