“I’m anxious to give you your gifts, but I’m also really enjoying these pancakes. Sit and eat with me. I’m going to need a full stomach to open all those.”
He smiled and sat down. “Cori will be by this afternoon,” he announced.
“Are her and Nick in town? I thought they were checking out some plant for his new startup?”
“They did. They wrapped up early. They are coming here today and then going to Malibu tonight.”
“They seem happy,” I commented.
“They are. I just hope this latest money-making scheme Nick came up with doesn’t backfire.”
I smiled, knowing how worried he was about his sister. “It’ll be fine. He’s been working hard on this. Cori is helping him. They’re doing it together which means she is invested in it as well.”
He groaned. “That’s what worries me.”
“They’ll be fine,” I assured him. He was the consummate big brother, always trying to look after his little sister, even if she was the same age as he was.
“Are we still having dinner with Jake and Parker tonight?”
“We are,” I nodded, taking another bite of the fluffy pancakes.
“Jake has done a great job here, don’t you think?”
“Yes, he has, and he deserves the extra responsibility. He’s earned it. One of these days, he is going to be your competition.”
He wrinkled his nose. “I know. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“Feel proud. You’ve taught him well. He’s got to leave the nest eventually.”
“Or I could just make this his nest,” he offered.
“Maybe,” I replied. I wasn’t going to push that on Parker and Jake. We already knew what happened when Chase made decisions for other people. This was their life to figure out for themselves. He could certainly offer the job, but ultimately, it was up to Parker and Jake to decide.
We finished our breakfasts and moved to sit in front of the tree. Chase handed me the first of many gifts. I truly was spoiled. I opened one after the other. His face was so full of love and joy. He genuinely loved to give. If it made him happy, I was happy to take every one of them. He opened the gifts I gave him. It was a back and forth of thank yous and plenty of kisses.
He handed me the last gift under the tree. “This is the important one,” he said.
I smiled and took the small box. My jewelry box was already overflowing with the many pieces of jewelry he gifted me with. I couldn’t wait to see what he picked out this time. I took the top off and saw a small black velvet box inside. I dumped it out and opened the box to find a gorgeous diamond ring with emeralds on either side. At first, I assumed it was a ring to match the earrings and necklace he gave to me a year ago.
When I looked up at him, he was smiling. “Do you like it?”
“Absolutely. It’s beautiful.”
He took the box from my hand and removed the ring. He held it in his fingers, still looking at me. “This isn’t just a ring. This is a symbol of my love for you. A symbol of the commitment I want to make with you. I love you with every ounce of my heart and soul. I never want to be apart. I want us to wake up beside each other every day for the rest of our lives. I want to walk through this life with you by my side. I want you to be my wife. Harper Lincoln, it has taken us eleven years to get here but here we are. Will you please marry me? I promise to be the man you need and the man you want. I will stumble, and I will screw up, but I will always try to be the man you deserve.”
I could barely see him through the tears welling in my eyes. I bobbed my head up and down. “Yes. Oh god, yes. I want to be your wife. I cannot wait to be your wife. I’ll make plenty of mistakes, I’m sure, but I will try to be the best wife possible.”
He leaned forward and hugged me. He slid the ring on my finger. Both of us stared down at my hand adorned with the new symbol of our love. We shared a sweet kiss before I gently pushed him back to his seat on the floor.