“Cinderella, you’ve made it. Now it’s time for me to bring you to the ball to meet your Prince Charming,” she tells me.
I burst out into laughter, realizing now why my dress is this color. I nod, giddy as hell.
“But first.” She pulls a blindfold from out of nowhere. “You’ll need to wear this.”
“Seriously?” I ask and turn around and allow her to put it on me.
My heart pounds so hard in my chest as she slowly guides me down the sidewalk. I try to figure out what Hunter has planned, but I honestly have no clue. We walk a little farther, and she guides me up the stairs until I feel hands—his strong hands, grabbing mine.
“You look beautiful,” Hunter whispers in my ear and shivers down my spine as he leads me.
“You have some explaining to do,” I tell him with a nervous laugh.
“I know,” he says, then I feel him taking off the blindfold.
My mouth falls open when I see Hunter wearing a suit that fits him perfectly. I turn to see where we are. I’m standing on the Mother Goose stage with bright lights in my eyes. I try to shield the light and see a small crowd of people out there but can’t make out who it is. Looking back at Hunter with wide eyes, I begin to have a mini freak-out because I have no clue what’s going on. When the Friends theme song starts playing, I laugh and slightly relax.
Hunter chuckles, grabs both of my hands, then drops to one knee.
And that’s when it hits me like a ton of bricks of what’s happening.
Oh my God.
The music softens, and Hunter looks into my eyes with so much love and adoration, I nearly crumple.
He doesn’t even have to speak; he doesn’t even have to ask.
The answer is already yes.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hunter
When I see Lennon walk around the corner and come up the steps, my heart pounds so hard, I’m sure everyone can hear it. Our family and friends are here, just as she would want it. Her parents and sisters are such a big part of her life as well as the Locke’s. Of course, I wanted my brother and his fiancée, Savannah, here too. Liam and Mason too who flash me grins and thumbs-ups, a complete turnaround from how they acted six months ago. When I told them Lennon and I were finally together, they actually supported us and apologized for making conclusions beforehand. I knew they were only protective of Brandon’s legacy, but they knew my feelings were real.
As I drop to one knee, Lennon looks as if she’s shocked even though she knows she’s the only woman I want to be with, the only woman I’ve ever wanted to be with. She tucks her lips into her mouth and squeezes my hands. My nerves begin to get the best of me so I suck in a ragged breath and find my words.
“Lennon,” I croak out and clear my throat. “At one point in our past, you thought I was the Beast, and maybe I was. But you were always my Belle, the one who taught me how to love and be loved. Without you, I might’ve stayed a beast forever, and I will be eternally grateful for you. Our story didn’t start off like a fairy tale—” I let out a laugh as a tear falls down her cheek.
“Don’t cry,” I whisper, just loud enough for her to hear.
She pulls her hand from mine and wipes it away but gives me a sweet smile to continue.
“It was far from it. But no matter what, we had each other. When I was the loneliest I’ve ever been, you were a bright yellow ray of sunshine when the days were dark and gloomy. From the moment I met you, I knew I couldn’t live without you. You’re my other half, Lennon. You’re the Monica to my Chandler, the Belle to my Beast, and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
I pull the ring from my pocket, the same ring she wore when we were pretending to be married. It’s been with us through it all. When I open the box, she sees it, and her face lights up. The memories flash across her face, and I think back to Utah and what we’ve been through.
“Lennon Corrigan, will you be my princess? I promise to give you the happily ever after you and Allie deserve and to love you with everything I have. Will you marry me and make me the happiest fucking man alive?”
“Yes,” she whispers through tears. “Yes a million times over!” Lennon says louder.
I smile so damn wide, my body shaking as I take the ring from the box and slip it on her finger. I stand and immediately pull her into a kiss. Everyone roars and claps, and I hear Maddie’s scream over it all. “Now give her another baby!”