Chapter 32 #2
She was willing to walk away from her family and choose me, but that never sat right with me. I was determined to find a way to amend things between them.
Her mom beat me to it.
Once she came around, the rest of the family followed. I’m grateful for that.
With a small nod, I thank Christian.
He responds with a genuine, warm smile before shifting his attention to my girl. “Your guy is a good man, sis.” He holds her gaze for a beat. “He’s solid.”
She lets out a strangled noise and covers her mouth with her free hand before bursting into tears. “He really is, Christian.” That comes out muffled.
Winning that guy over was the equivalent of climbing Mount Elbert—the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains.
Her brothers didn’t go easy on me, but Christian hated me at first sight.
My first visit to New York to meet her family was punishing, and a little humiliating. It’s nothing her brothers said. It was all in their attitude.
Christian was the worst.
Every time I opened my mouth to talk, he’d roll his eyes, muttering something under his breath. There’s nothing I can do about my accent or twang. And frankly, I have no desire to suppress them. I’m not a New Yorker. Deal with it. I let his cold reception slide. I knew I had to prove myself.
Carina’s grandparents were my saving grace. Through their eyes, Carina’s seven brothers were able to see me as more than a hick from a small town.
One by one, each Callahan brother came up to visit, and one by one, I earned their respect.
“Carina.” I beckon her attention. She’s still staring, dumbfounded at her brother as he walks away. Her glazy eyes meet mine. “You’re my everything—”
“And you’re mine, Rhett.” The words rush out of her mouth. “For the record, the surprise birthday is already overwhelming, but this…”
“What do you think is happening right now?”
“Hmm…” Her gaze shifts left to right. “Well, you’re on one knee.” She leans forward. “Aren’t you going to ask me a question?”
A round of laughter runs throughout the room.
“Eager beaver.” I borrow her words.
She tilts her head back and lets out a belly laugh.
When her eyes meet mine, tears stream down her face.
“You got me,” she says when she regains her composure.
“Yeah, you’re right about that. I got you and I’m never letting you go.”
She fans herself with her free hand. “Dear God.”
I take in a deep breath. “I’m not one of those guys who has all these fancy words to wrap up how I feel about you, darlin’.
You mean so much to me—more than words can ever express.
It’s not for lack of trying, but right now, I don’t remember any of the words I’ve been practicing for the last two days. ”
My candid confession elicits more laughter.
“I’m just going to speak from the heart.
” I take another breath to regulate my beating heart.
“I love you so much, it scares me. Then again, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I say.
“I know this much. I want this high feeling when I’m around you for the rest of my life.
I want you for the rest of my life. Carina Callahan, will you do me the honor of becoming—”
“Yes!”
A loud roar of laughter erupts around us.
“Oops.” Carina blushes. “I guess I was a little trigger-happy there.”
“That’s right,” Riley says. “Make sure to wrangle ‘THE SEXIEST COWBOY ALIVE’ as fast as you can. Lasso that bad boy. Lock it down, girl. Lock. It. Down.” She hoots, her hand swirling over her head like she’s about to rope a calf.
Jake jabs his sister’s arm with his elbow. She shoots him a What? look.
Another round of laughs from the crowd ensues.
I return my attention to my girl. “You didn’t let me finish.”
“Oh, sorry,” she says. “I’m overwhelmed. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I hear you, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime question for me. You have to give a man a chance to ask his question the proper way. And for the record, this is happening.”
“Okay.” She nods. “Try again.”
I shake my head, amused by her reaction.
This part of the evening isn’t going as planned, but hell, I’m just going to roll with it.
“Carina Callahan, will you marry me? Will you allow me to love you a little more every day? Will you have beautiful babies with me? And finally, will you grow old and gray with me?”
“My answer hasn’t changed, but since you upped the ante, I guess I have to repeat my answer.” She grins. “Yes, yes, yes, and yes.”
Music to my ears.
“I love you with all my heart—” Her voice breaks. “I can’t think of anything I’d want more than to be your wife.”
Our friends and family whistle, cheer, clap, and stomp their feet.
I let go of her hand and open the black box.
“Lord, have mercy. That’s breathtaking.”
I slip the ring on her finger.
I got her a classic eternity band with four-carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds, paired with two bands circled with emerald-cut emeralds, to form a stacked look. I think it’s spectacular, but it’s her opinion that matters.
“Rhett, baby, it’s so me. I absolutely love everything about it.” She lifts her hand to eye level before turning it to the crowd. “Look y’all, I’m going to become Mrs. Sullivan.” She points at her ring with her other finger to emphasize her joy.
That gets her a rowdy reception.
She’s taking over the show.
“Settle down, woman.”
“Sorry.” She grins. “Not sorry.”
I shake my head.
“You have impeccable taste, Mr. Sullivan.” She extends her hand and her fingers flutter.
“I can’t take credit for this on my own.”
“You got some help?”
“I needed some handholding.” I smile wide. “Your mom, the nonnas, and Mani took me shopping in New York. They helped me pick the ring. It also passed the test with Riley, Allison, Miranda, and April,” I say. “Mani says with your profession, you never wanted a big, protruding stone.”
Her eyes lift over my head before landing on me again.
I can only assume her best friend is standing behind me.
“I love diamonds and I love emeralds. The ring is perfect, Rhett. This gorgeous and slick design will allow me to wear my ring every single day, regardless of what I’m preparing in the kitchen. A protruding stone would only get in the way. It would break my heart to have to remove it.”
I stand up, cup her beautiful face in my hands before dropping a chaste kiss against her lips. “You have no idea what it means to me to hear those words.”
“The only reason I would ever remove my ring is because my fingers are a little too bloated from the little Sullivan growing in my belly…”
Well, hell.
I didn’t expect that.
“Is that a not-so-subtle message?”
I didn’t think we’d be talking babies at this stage, but I’m not complaining. I can’t wait to start a family.
“I want lots of babies, Mr. Sullivan,” she says. “Your babies.”
“They’re all going to have your big blue eyes.”
She giggles.
I wrap the love of my life in my arms. “You’ve made me happier than I ever thought it was possible for a guy like me.”
“Ditto,” she says against my chest. She lifts her head, meeting my gaze. “My feet won’t touch the ground for months to come. I’ve never been this happy in my life. Ever.”
I crush my lips against hers and kiss her until we both run out of air.
I love her to no end.
My Carina.
My little darlin’.
My love.
The mother of my kids.
My everything.