Emotion pushes up my throat as I nod like a crazy person. “Yes. Definitely yes.”
He shoots up, and framing my face, he presses a hard kiss to my mouth before he pulls back to look at me. “Want to go look at rings? I wasn’t expecting to ask you like this, so I’m not prepared.”
I let out a chuckle. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll make it up to you,” he says before giving me another kiss.
Shaking my head, I murmur, “This was perfect.”
When Haley’s had enough, I burp her before she falls asleep.
“Go get dressed while I check Haley’s bag,” Noah says, nudging me out of the nursery.
I go to our bedroom, and stripping out of the sweatpants and shirt I was wearing, I put on a dress. I fix my hair and swipe on some lipgloss before I search for my sandals.
Finding them half under the bed, I slip them on, then head back to the nursery. When I walk inside, I pick up Haley so we can leave.
“We’re only going for the ring, right?” I ask as we head to the car.
“Yeah, unless you want to do something else while we’re out?”
I strap Haley in her car seat, and then Noah double checks me. “We can get some takeout then spend the rest of the day watching movies?”
“Whatever you want to do,” Noah murmurs as we climb in the car.
I expected things to be crazy once Haley was born, but it’s been calm. Noah and I take turns changing the diapers, and with Haley sleeping from eleven at night through to five in the morning, we both get our rest, as well.
“We’re so lucky. I’ve read horror stories about babies never sleeping and things just being insane the first couple of months,” I mention.
“Yeah, she’s amazing,” Noah agrees as he steers the car down the road.
When we get to Tiffany’s & Co, my heartbeat speeds up, and excitement builds in my chest. Only when I’m staring at the engagement ring collection does it set in.
Noah asked me to marry him.
We’re busy choosing a ring.
I lift a hand to cover my mouth as I gasp, and then my eyes dart to him. “Oh. My. God.”
Worry instantly blooms over his face, and he stops rocking the stroller. “What’s wrong?”
My eyes tear up as I whisper, “You asked me to marry you.”
Noah begins to laugh as he pulls me to his chest. Pressing a kiss to my hair, he mutters, “I wondered why you were so calm.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I bury my face against his chest as the overwhelming emotions rush through me.
“Is everything okay?” A store assistant asks behind me.
“Yes,” Noah replies, rubbing his hand over my back.
I pull away and quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks as I take deep breaths. Smiling at the assistant, I explain, “He asked me to marry him less than an hour ago, and it only sunk in now.”
“Awww…” the lady coos.
When I look at the rings again, it only heightens my emotions. I choose a round brilliant center stone with a diamond platinum band designed by the late Jean Schlumberger.
The assistant measures my ring finger, and then she smiles. “It’s the right size, so we don’t have to get it fitted.”
Noah takes over so he can pay while I check to make sure Haley’s still off in dreamland.
The second we’re in the car, I yank my phone out and dial Mom’s number.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Mom answers.
I begin to sob. “Mom, Noah asked me to marry him!”
There’s a moment's silence, and then Mom shrieks, “Ahhhhh… I’m so happy for you! That’s the best news.”
I try to control my breathing as I ramble, “I just wanted to tell you. We just bought the ring. I’ll call you later so we can chat.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Congratulations. Enjoy every second.”
Once I’ve ended the call, I turn to Noah and throw myself at him. Pressing kisses all over his face, I say, “I. Love. You. So. Much.”
Noah begins to laugh. “I love you. Let’s get home because I’m sure as fuck not screwing this up more by putting the ring on your finger in the car.”
I feel like I’m high, and by the time we get home, I’m buzzing with excitement. The instant Noah places Haley down in her bed, I say, “Show me. Show me. Show me.”
He chuckles as he pulls the box from his pocket, and when he opens it, I let out a weird sound, something between a sob and a laugh.
“Carla.” My eyes snap to Noah’s. “I never thought the little girl with her pigtails who used to annoy the living hell out of me would become the woman I can’t live without. You’ve shown me more happiness than I’ve experienced in my entire life. Will you marry me?”
Unable to say anything, I nod like crazy while holding my right hand out to him.