Page 73 of Texting the Possessive CEO
“To me, you’re more than perfect,” he says with feeling.
He slowly lowers himself to one knee, looking strong and handsome at the same time. Rose petals are all around him, their scent filling the air, adding to the romance.
He reaches into his pocket and takes out a ring box.
“Izzy, my songbird,” he says, opening the box. I gasp, my hands flying up to cover my mouth. The ring is a work of art, a chunky diamond set within a white-gold band, with two little carvings framing it: one is a song note, and the other is a small violin. “Will you marry me?”
I can’t catch my breath as I stare at the ring. I let too much time pass. Dom’s expression wavers tragically, as if he thinks he’s overshot. I quickly dart my hand down, offering him my hand.
“Yuh-yuh…” I can’t push the word out, the emotion is rising so wonderfully inside of me. “Yes!” I finally squeal.
He grins like a happy little boy, taking the ring and sliding it onto my finger.
Leaping to his feet, he pulls me into his arms and lifts me off my feet, spinning me around and around.
EPILOGUE
DOMINIC
Six Years Later
Wife: Our little angels couldn’t ask for a better uncle. Maybe it’s those crazy pregnancy hormones, but I honestly feel like crying right now.
Ismile as I man the barbecue with one hand, looking across the garden. The sprinklers are on, and the kids are running wild through the water. Liam’s got his niece—mine and my Songbird’s daughter—on his shoulders as he darts here and there. Melody squeals in delight, her hands buried in her teenage uncle’s wavy black hair.
Joy lights up my heart, especially when I really listen to Melody’s squeal of delight. She sounds just like her mother when she’s happy, just like her mother when I proposed. She’s my Songbird Number Two, as she proudly calls herself.
Past the water, on the other side of the party, my wife is sitting with her grandmother and Jennifer, along with a few other women. Funny how that happens at parties sometimes, the sexes self-segregating. She’s got one hand resting on her belly, a smile on her face. When she sees me looking, she takes out her phone.
Wife: The baby just kicked. I think he’s really keen to meet his family.
Dominic: I can’t wait to meet him either. If he’s anything like our Melody, we’re going to be the luckiest parents alive… twice.
Even from here, I can see her smile grow bigger, past the water and the giggling children. Soon, the burgers are done. I announce that we’re ready to eat. Liam and Melody run over immediately, each of them with a stack of paper plates.
I smile. “Are you going to be my waiters, like last time?”
“What’d you think, Melly?” Liam says, nudging his niece.
“Canwe, Daddy?” Melody says. “Please?”
I smile. “Of course you can. You’re a good girl.”
She beams.
“Just be careful, okay?”
She nods, taking her job seriously. “I will, promise! Won’t we, Uncle Liam?”
“We’ll be careful, big bro. Chill.”
I chuckle. “Then have it.”
I dish up the burgers, then leave the two worker bees to distribute them on this side of the garden while I go and turn off the sprinklers. While I’m doing this, my Songbird sends me another text.
Wife: I just had a thought. All of this started because of uncles. Uncle Aaron. ‘Uncle’ Seb. Now, we get to see what a truly wonderful uncle really is. Your brother is the uncle we both deserved when we were kids, when we were innocent and didn’t know how rotten the world could be. I’m so happy for Melody.
I smile, savoring her words. My wife can get so beautifully poetic and emotional, especially when she’s pregnant.
