But first, we eat. Joey takes a seat next to Brynna, and the toddler shakes her toy at him while chortling happily.
“Yes,” he grins. “That’s for you from Uncle Joey.”
Then we sit down, and dig into the food. It’s delicious and I swallow with appreciation.
“Thank you, Brit,” I murmur to the beautiful brunette. “This hits the spot.”
She laughs and takes my hand.
“It’ll be even better next year, when the herbs I’ve planted begin to bloom. I’m thinking a rosemary chicken. Does that sound good?”
I nod, squeezing your hand.
“Anything you make tastes amazing, sweetheart. I’m happy to help you start a farm if you like.”
She laughs, throwing her head back, and I watch with appreciation as her hair waves in the slight breeze. How did I get so lucky?
But she shoots me a teasing look.
“A farm, Mr. Hemsworth? That’s going quite far, isn’t it?”
But I’m serious.
“Honey, if that’s what you want, then that’s what I’m going to give you. You’re studying agricultural economics, and I’m the owner of a grocery store. Why not? It’s a perfect fit, and you know I’ll support you in whatever career you choose.”
She blushes a bit.
“I just never thought I’d be producing food on that scale,” she says shyly. “I mean, once upon a time, Joey and I were going to food banks. We had nothing to eat and so the thought of owning a farm is amazing.”
But that only causes the protective alpha male in me to rise to the fore. I pull her close and whisper in her ear.
“On my watch, you’ll never go hungry again, Brit. I swear it.”
We break apart, my girlfriend blushing a bit as her brother pretends not to see. But I don’t care. I love this woman, and I’m ready to make her my wife as soon as she says yes. Fortunately, the dinner finishes without any other caveman-like declarations from me, and Joey announces his departure.
“Thanks for stopping by,” I say, giving him a handshake.
He nods, and shuffles his feet a little, looking at the floor.
“You know, John, I’m so sorry about what happened,” he begins, but I cut him off.
“It’s fine,” I say. “It’s been two years now, and Britney and Brynna want me to forgive you, so I have. There’s no need to discuss it anymore.”
The younger man blushes and nods, before taking off.
“Thanks again,” he says before waving and disappearing into his car. I shut the gate, alone with my two girls at last. I don’t hate Joey. I recognize that he just wanted to protect his sister, even if it was misguided, and I really have forgiven him. But I haven’t forgotten, and will always be a bit wary around the man, given his past poor judgment.
But that’s nothing to dwell on now. Inside the house, Britney’s cleaning up and I look at her with appreciation as she putters around. She’s beautiful with her curly hair pinned up while wearing a striped top and loose jeans. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen those jeans before. They have an elasticized waist, and hug her round rump tenderly, caressing the orbs.
“Hey you,” I growl into her ear, coming up behind the beautiful woman and slipping my arms about her waist. She giggles and starts a bit.
“I didn’t realize you’d come back in,” she says, turning in my arms for a kiss. “Did Joey take off?”
“Yes,” I murmur, nuzzling her neck. “And not a moment too soon because I have something for you.” With that, I bend one knee and pull the diamond from my pocket. Britney’s eyes go wide as she sees the enormous sparkler, her hands going up to cover her mouth.
“Oh my god,” she breathes. But again, it’s me with tears in my eyes because this woman means everything to me.
“Will you be my wife, Britney Ann Carter?” I ask hoarsely. “Will you make me a happy man and give me more children? Will you stay with me as we grow old together, enduring my faults, mistakes, and bad moods? I love you Britney, and you’ve already made me happier than I ever imagined.”
She gasps a bit, and nods, her eyes shining with tears.
“Yes, John. I love you, and I’d love to become Mrs. John Hemsworth.”
With that, I stand and pull her in for a hungry kiss before slipping the ring on her finger. It glimmers under the kitchen light, and fits her perfectly.
“Wow,” she breathes, smiling through tears again. “It’s beautiful.”
“No, you’re beautiful,” I say, seizing her pout in another kiss. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
But then, Britney pulls away breathlessly with a mischievous look on her face. Her cheeks are flushed, and her bosom heaves a bit with excitement.