Epilogue 2
EPILOGUE 2
I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN’ YOU
Dakota
The house is quiet as I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Lauren. She's exhausted from the excitement of graduation, but I can't sleep. My heart is racing with anticipation.
In the kitchen, I pull out the small velvet box I've been hiding for weeks. The ring inside catches the moonlight, and I can't help but smile. It's time.
My mind drifts back to earlier today, before the graduation ceremony...
"So, what do you think?" I asked, showing the ring to Shannon.
Her eyes widened, a grin spreading across her face. "Dakota, it's beautiful. She's going to love it."
"You think she'll say yes?"
Shannon laughed, punching my arm lightly. "Are you kidding? Of course, she will. You two are perfect for each other."
I nodded, trying to quell the butterflies in my stomach. "There's one more person I need to ask."
We found Roman in the living room, engrossed in a video. I knelt beside him, my heart pounding.
"Hey, buddy. Can I ask you something important?"
Roman paused his video, looking at me curiously. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath. "Roman, you know I love you and your mom very much, right?"
He nodded.
"Well, I was wondering... how would you feel if I asked your mom to marry me? If I became your dad officially?"
Roman's eyes widened. For a moment, he was quiet, and I felt my heart stop. Then, he launched himself at me, wrapping his arms around my neck.
"Really? You want to be my dad?"
I hugged him back, feeling tears well in my eyes. "More than anything, buddy."
"Then yes!" Roman exclaimed. "You have to ask her, Dad!"
Dad. The word filled me with joy every time I heard it.
Now, as I stand in the moonlit kitchen, those moments give me strength. I head back to the bedroom, ring in hand, ready to start the next chapter of our lives.
Lauren is just stirring as I enter. She blinks sleepily, a soft smile on her face. "Dakota? What's going on?"
I sit on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine. "Lauren, I love you. You and Roman... you've given me a family, a home. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
I open the ring box, my heart pounding. "Will you marry me?"
Lauren's eyes widen, glistening with tears in the dim light. For a moment, there's silence. Then she nods, a radiant smile spreading across her face.
"Yes," she whispers. "Yes, of course I'll marry you."
As I slip the ring onto her finger and pull her into a kiss, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. This is my family. My home. My happily ever after.
And it's only the beginning.
- THE END -