to hear. Can I trust it? Is he just saying all of this because he’s afraid I’ll walk away?
I stare up at him, my eyes bouncing back and forth between his as I try to decipher which it is, and after studying him for a few minutes, I know he’s sincere. His eyes are clear and he’s calmly standing here letting me examine him. He’s not looking away or shying from my touch. He’s welcoming me in, pleading with me for more...for something deeper.
“Will you give me another chance?” His voice cracks when he asks, and I want to shout the word yes, but he doesn’t give me the chance to say anything.
Reed takes a step back so he can press his palm against my stomach, his eyes softening but never leaving mine. “I want a family with you, Fallon. And not because my dad was demanding it. I want it because I want you. I want us to be together forever, and if you aren’t already pregnant, I’m going to do everything in my power to knock you up as soon as humanly possible.”
He grins, so matter-of-fact when he says all these things, like there’s no point in arguing because I’m not going to get my way. The happiness inside me can’t be contained and I fling my arms around his neck and hug him tight.
“I love you too, Reed. So, so much.” I can feel him smile against my neck, but I’m not finished.
Pulling back, I look up at him, unable to contain the smile spreading so wide across my face. “There’s only one problem.” His eyes turn wary, and I hurry to reassure him. “You don’t have to do everything in your power to knock me up because I’m already pregnant.”
It wasn’t exactly how I planned to tell him, but it works, because the joy filling his features makes me feel like my heart is going to explode in my chest. This might just be the best day of my life. I got the guy and I’m having his baby. Things can’t get any better than this, can they?
Just as the thought crosses my mind, Reed releases me, taking a step back while I look up at him in confusion. I’m watching his face so intently it doesn’t register to me that he’s lowering himself to the floor until it’s already done.
I cover my mouth with both hands and gasp. Reed’s down on one knee in front of me, and all I can do is stare at him in disbelief and try not to pinch myself to prove that this is real.
Even though I know it’s coming, I freeze when he pulls a small box out of his pocket and holds it up between us. His eyes are shining with unshed tears, and he has to clear his throat before he can speak. My stomach tightens nervously. I can’t believe he’s doing this.
“Fallon Marie Leary, you’ve been my best friend as long as I can remember. You’ve always been there for me, never judging me, never giving up on me. You loved me even before I realized what it meant to love someone.”
Wetness stains my cheeks as the box flips open to reveal a beautiful platinum engagement ring. The slim band is covered in tiny diamonds and sapphires, and it has a much larger round diamond sitting on top. The ring is familiar, and it takes me a second to figure out it’s the same one Reed’s mother wore before she died.
“Fallon, will you do me the honor of being my wife?” Excitement, fear and elation soar through me and I nod my head yes.
“Yes! Yes, Reed. Of course, I’ll be your wife.” Just hours ago I was afraid I was losing him for good, and now, now he’s promising to be mine for life.
“Thank fucking God,” he sighs in relief. As soon as he pushes the ring all the way down, he stands. I don’t even get to admire the ring that’s now made its home on my finger before he wraps his arms around me and seals his mouth to mine. The kiss is unlike any other we’ve had. Instead of trying to devour me, he’s gentle.
The love he feels for me fuels the kiss, and he’s holding me like I’m the most precious thing in his life. His tongue darts out to trace my lips before he pushes against them, silently asking me to let him enter. The moment my lips part, his tongue