Page 130 of Yours, Finally

He unfolded his big body, his eyes locked on mine. Without looking, he picked the velvet box from the piano lid.

My family surrounded us, but I couldn't spare a thought their way. All I could see was Jake.

His half smile had a hint of playfulness. "I thought you might want to see the ring first."

"No— I mean, yes." I grinned. "Yes to that, too."

"Mmh. Well, let's see if I can still get this to happen in the right order."

He offered me a hand and I took it. He invited me closer, and opened the box in front of me.

I gasped again. I had never seen an engagement ring like it before; five irregular, purple stones suggested petals around a tiny gold pinpoint. The flower was flanked by three small, round stones on each side, on a thin golden band.

"You collect violets," he said. "I thought I could give you one to wear every day. You said you liked unique rings, remember? That first weekend together. I had it custom made at the same shop."

I bit my lip, tears filling my eyes once again. "It's beautiful."

"I know that six months together isn't long, but we did the time. We worked through difficult things. I've had a life with you, and I can't wait to start one where I get to be your husband. I'm already a lucky man, but if you marry me, Vi—"

"How many times does a person have to say yes before you—"

I didn't get to finish the thought. He kissed me. People whooped and clapped and laughed behind us.

"Stop getting ahead of me," he said against my lips.

I smiled. "Yes, Jake. I'll marry you."

A soft blush colored his face. He grinned as he took the ring off its box and put it on my finger.

At the edge of my awareness, I sensed the family approaching us and waiting. I stared at the ring on my finger, Jake's big hand holding mine.

"One last thing," I said. "Did they know you were going to propose?"

He shook his head. "No one knew. I wasn't sure about doing it in front of everyone, but…" He shrugged. "I love them, and I wanted to show off."

I laughed. I gave him one last kiss and whispered. "It was a good idea. I love you. Let's do this."

He grinned, held my hand, and we turned to our family.

They enveloped us with love, happiness, and congratulations. We laughed and hugged everyone, and talked through a few initial ideas for our wedding.

The people I belonged with, and the man I loved. Love like I had craved all around us, and embedded in our future.

Jake may see himself as a lucky man, and he was… but fortune had never left me behind.

In fact, with Jake's ring on my hand, I might have been fortune's favorite child.