She took a deep breath and let it out, wringing her hands. Just when he thought she’d shut down, she said, “I found the ring, and I panicked. I should have talked to you, told you I was scared. But instead, I ran.”
He stared deep into her eyes, searching for the meaning behind her words. “What do you mean?”
“I was still adjusting to being a parent for Andy and felt like I was failing miserably. I didn’t know whether I could be a good wife. And if anyone should have more kids, it’s you. But how could I be a mom? Me, this utter failure? I should have told you I needed things to go slower—”
His heart surged in his chest, and he jumped to his feet and cut her off with his lips. He should have let her finish, but he couldn’t. He had to kiss her. And she jumped right on board and kissed him back.
She wanted him. And he could give her as long as she needed.
“I wasn’t going to ask you—” Will tried to explain, pulling back.
But before he could finish, hurt flashed across her face. “Who, then?”
“You. Never anyone but you. But notyet,” he clarified.
Confusion still swam in her teary eyes. “Al, I knew you weren’t ready. But I knew what I wanted. And my family does this thing where the guys all go together to pick out the ring. We were all here for Clayton’s game. I was ready, and I’d hoped you would be eventually. The moment you were ready, I wanted to pop the question. I didn’t want to have to wait for everyone to get here before I could.”
“I’m sorry.”
He looked into those gray eyes of hers, and his world fell into place. “I forgive you; it doesn’t matter, and I love you.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and let out a contented sigh. “I love you too. I just need time, because the idea that you might ask me tomorrow—”
“This is what we’re going to do,” he said as he held her tight to him.
“You have a plan that fast? I didn’t even finish my sentence.” Aly shook her head against his chest.
He just grinned. “You know I want you to be my wife, and I know you will besomeday. But I understand that the pressure to get there could be stressful. So when you’re ready, I want you to take that ring out of the box and put it on your finger. Until that day, you and Andy will live with me, and we’ll grow together.”
Aly tipped her face up and regarded him. “Is that what you want?”
“All I want is you. You and Andy forever.” He leaned down and kissed her thoroughly. He couldn’t wait for that night. Couldn’t wait to do a lot more than kiss her. That night and every night from then on.
“Oh, gross. Are we back to this again?”
When Will pulled back, Andy was smiling at them from the doorway.
Aly, of course, was blushing even as she peered over her shoulder at Andy.
“Forever,” Will assured him with a smile.
CHAPTER29
“This is chaos,”Aly whispered. She scanned the room, stunned by the sheer amount of shredded wrapping paper and half opened boxes. Christmas morning with the Evans crew was chaos. In the best ways, but still. “How are you handling this mess?”
Next to her, Will chuckled. “I’m trying to ignore it. Like right now, I’m thinking about last night when you—”
Aly slammed a hand over his mouth as her face heated.
“What did you do?” Danny asked.
“Best Christmas present ever.” Will wrapped his arm around her and tucked her into his side. Once it was clear she was staying, Grant and Trish had shifted their kids around so Will and Aly could have a room. It had given them a chance to talk more and to do other things…
He was as happy as she was about the contract change for the show. And he liked the idea of making appearances on camera from time to time, along with Andy. Mostly, he was just happy she was there.
It was still surreal that she got to call this man hers. But that meant she’d never take him for granted either.
“I love you,” he whispered.