Epilogue #2
“Why should you, though, when I like carrying you?” he teases.
That’s the other big change that’s happened in the last six months. He’s become more vocal. He’s always been on the quiet side, but with Esme, it’s like he’s a chatterbox, although I’m sure most would think he hasn’t changed at all.
Levi, Esme, and I see it, though.
We make it to the bottom of the hill, and Levi spreads out the blanket.
“Did you guys plan this?” she asks, sounding impressed.
“Maybe,” I tease, shooting her a wink as Walker sets her down.
As she makes herself comfortable, my brothers and I share a look.
This is it.
Levi steps forward and clears his throat as he drops to his knee in front of her. His back is straight, something that the old ladies stressed when they found out we planned to propose. They said it would make or break it. I don’t really believe that, but we weren’t willing to leave it to chance.
“Esme,” he says, making her look up.
“Yes?”
He pulls the ring out of his pocket, making her gasp. Her hand flies up, covering her heart.
“Shut up!” she says, wide-eyed. “Wait, not really. Is this happening?”
A small smile plays on Levi’s face. “If you let me speak, maybe it will.”
She nods. “Okay, go. I’m ready.”
“From the moment we met you, we knew you were different. I watched you first with Walker, then with Hudson, and realized how perfectly you fit with us. I knew that if we ever had a chance at happiness with someone, it would be you, and I was right. You make us so fucking happy, and I can’t imagine ever waking up without you next to us and in our bed.
We want to do life with you until our last breath. Will you marry me, Esme?”
“Yes,” she says quietly.
With a steady hand, he slips on the band he bought her.
“You got me rubies?” she asks as she studies it.
“It reminded me of the blood-red lipstick you wore on our first date,” he tells her.
She reaches up and cups his face, pulling him in for a kiss. When he pulls away, Walker takes his place.
He takes a deep breath. “I don’t have pretty words for you like Levi did and Hudson will, but what I can tell you is that I love you.
You were mine the moment you sat in my lap and asked for my consent to kiss me.
You’ve had me wrapped around your finger ever since, and I’m hoping you’ll be willing to make it official with this ring. ” He holds it up. “Marry me.”
He doesn’t ask but demands, making her smile.
“Of course I’ll marry you.”
Walker slips on her ring as they kiss, and when she looks down, she smiles.
“Why did you choose blue?”
“When I saw the blue sapphires, it reminded me of the paint you chose to paint me with on our first date.” He shrugs, making her smile.
“I love that.”
He kisses her one more time before he steps out of my way.
Then it’s my turn.
I pull the ring out of my pocket as I drop to my knees in front of her.
God, she’s beautiful, and she looks so fucking happy.
She’s got her hands clasped under her chin as she waits patiently for my ring. I wonder if I could make her wait this patiently in the bedroom.
“Hudson.” Levi coughs, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I was just thinking about how happy you look. It’s almost hard to believe that these assholes and I made you this way.”
Esme laughs as the guys groan behind me.
“Get on with it already,” Walker says gruffly.
Straightening my back, I clear my throat.
“Before you, I thought I was happy. I had the club and my brothers, and I thought that was enough, but I was wrong. When you walked up to us, I knew our lives were about to change, and I was scared as hell. I realized, though, that I had nothing to fear, falling for you was easy. Loving you and being loved by you is as easy as breathing. You brought all of us together, you became the center of our universe in a matter of minutes, and you didn’t even know it.
I love you today, I’ll love you tomorrow, and fifty years down the line.
I want you for the hard days, the easy ones, and everything in between.
” I look down at the ring in my hand. “I didn’t pick a stone because it reminded me of our first date like the other two did but because I wanted to be traditional in our non-traditional relationship.
I wanted to give you diamonds. Marry me, please. ”
My hands shake as I hold up the ring.
Esme nods as she cries. If it weren’t for the smile on her face, I would think she’s upset, but it’s clear she’s not when she holds out her hand.
I slip the ring on her finger. Stacking it with the other two just like we planned.
It fits perfectly.
“Yes. I’ll marry you. I’ll marry all of you.”
Staring at my future wife, I smile.
I don’t think life could get much better than this.
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