Turning around, I pull Selma into my arms and brush my thumb over her cheek. “Before she died, I knew that even if she allowed me to sell this place for her, I couldn't do it. I’d made a place in my heart for Ms. Lily and her home. You know I lost my parents so young, she was like the grandmother I never had. I cared for her, and when she died I thought that was the end of the road for us. But then I found out she left me this, and it was like she was giving me a chance to change my course. I think she knew exactly what you were telling me this morning. That I work too much, I’m gone too often, and I’m not where I should be.”
I reach into my back pocket and take out the little red box. Selma sees it and then her mouth opens as I hold it out for her.
“The reason I went back to Texas was to sign a contract, but also to close out the final deal on my time away. I tied up all my loose ends, and I’m here to stay. Meeting you, Selma, was the catalyst I needed, the one that Ms. Lily was trying to show me all along. You’re my forever, and I love you with every part of my soul. I want forever with you, and I want to start now before you get away.”
Kneeling down in front of her, I open the box and show Selma the five-carat ruby nestled inside.
“Are you finished?” she asks, and I nod. “I love you, too.” This time when the tears come, they don’t break me like before.
She throws herself into my arms, and I catch her, holding her close. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, you big stupid idiot, of course it’s a yes.” She laughs through tears, and I kiss her at the same time.
“I love you so much, Selma.” I hold her face and look at her, then kiss her again because I need my lips all over her right now.
“I’m pregnant,” she blurts out, and I freeze. “I wanted to tell you the other day when you were home, but then things got so mixed up, and oh my god, I almost broke up with you,” she rambles, then swallows hard.
“You’re having my baby?”
“Yes, I mean clearly. We’ve had so much sex and you never even tried to pull out—”
I cover her mouth with mine, my heart swelling to the point of pain. Can a person die from too much joy? It’s overwhelming, and yet it all feels right. It’s perfect and magnificent in a way that I could have never dreamed possible.
“I love you, I love you, I love you,” I say over and over as I kiss my soon-to-be wife.
“You really know how to settle an argument,” she teases, and I shake my head.
“You can try all you want, you’re never getting rid of me.”
“And I never want to.” She smiles and kisses me back.
This is the beginning of forever with us, and I can’t wait for it to begin.
Epilogue
Selma
Several years later…
I watch my little Lily pad get her nails done. She’s leaning back in the chair with cucumbers on her eyes. I fight a laugh at how adorable she is. When I asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said a spa and tea day. I loved the idea so much. I might have gone a bit overboard, but she’s my only little girl.
Our twin boys are rough and tumbles. They would destroy a tea party. Unless it comes to their little sister. She can get away with murder with them. It’s cute when she bosses them around. She is a tiny thing while her brothers are four years older than her and big for their age.
“I think we’re all done,” the nail technician says. Lily sits up excitedly, wanting to see her nails. The cucumbers go flying, hitting the floor. I had the small pop-up spa set up on the back patio while tea will be out in the garden.
Lily said she needed to get her nails and hair done first before her friends get here so she can be a host while they get their chance in the spa chairs. It’s her day. I told her she can do it however she wants, and she has. Down to every last detail. It drove me a bit nuts until Luca laughed and called her a mini-me.
“Do we match, Mommy?” Lily holds up her hands, wiggling her fingers.
“We sure do.” I show her mine.
“Our turn yet?” Lux says, stepping out onto the patio. Juno comes walking out behind her. I can see all the cousins in the kitchen devouring food. The boys in this family can eat.