“Happy birthday.” He pulled Lily into a hug.
“Thanks, are you okay? Do you need me to get you something?” She looked him over.
“Don’t fuss over me. I’m fine. Comes with the job.”
“Okay.” Lily gave him a knowing look.
There was something about the way she looked at him that I couldn’t quite place or even understand.
The night continued with its usual festivities, everyone together exactly how I wanted. Just like the old days.
“You want your birthday present, Kid?”
“What is it?”
I laughed. “It doesn’t matter how many damn times I tell you to just say thank you, it’s never going to happen is it?”
“Highly unlikely, let me see it, big man! Where are we going?” I took her to the middle of the room, nodding to the DJ to turn down the music. Everyone looked at us. Lily only stared at me with a questioning expression.
“The first time I realized I was in love with you, I knew I was in trouble. Not because of your age, or our families, or your brother, or even the boys.
She lowered her eyebrows, confused.
“I knew that I would never be able to let you go, no matter how many times I tried. I soon discovered there was no going back for me. Only moving forward. I could stand here and tell you all the things that I love about you, Kid, each and every one of them, but you know them already. You know them because you know me. You’ve always known me.”
She smiled and it lit up her entire face as she took in the meaning of my words. “What’s this all about?” she nervously asked.
I got down on one knee and her breathing hitched.
“I have had this ring.” I placed it out in front of me. “Since I left San Francisco.”
Her lips parted and her eyes widened. I would never forget the look on her gorgeous face at that moment.
“The morning I realized I was finally coming home to you, I went and bought a ring. It’s taken everything inside me not to ask you to marry me about a hundred times at this point. I have missed so many birthdays. I wanted you to remember this day as one of the happiest of our lives…” I opened the box.
“Oh my God. It’s huge!” she blurted out.
“Lillian Michelle Ryder, my sweet girl, will you put me out of my goddamn misery and be my wife. Will you marry me, Kid?”
She tackled me to the ground. “Of course! Yes! Yes! Yes! I will marry you, Jacob!” she screamed as everyone started clapping.
She kissed all over my face as I picked us back up.
“I love you.”
“I love you, baby.”
Her dad was the first one to come congratulate us, followed by Alex and the boys. Lucas stood back watching me warily, and then he finally approached.
“Congratulations, baby sister.” She smiled as he kissed the top of her head.
He stuck out his hand for me to shake. “I guess this officially makes you my brother,” he stated with a neutral expression.
“Guess so.” I shook it.
He nodded, pulling me toward him into a hug, slapping my back.
“Take care of her, Jacob.”
“Always.”
Lily beamed, I didn’t remember ever seeing her so happy. To know that I was finally the cause of it warmed my heart in ways I never thought possible.
“What the fuck?” Austin chimed in, making us all turn in the direction of his gaze.
Three police officers walked in going right for Dylan. He was sitting down at the table beside us, sipping his beer like nothing was going on.
“Agent McGraw, we hate to have to—”
“Just fucking do it,” he interrupted the officer, standing to look at all of them.
And the rest played in fucking slow motion…
“Dylan McGraw, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”
The end.