Chapter Twenty-Three – Emeline #2
My fingertips moved softly across his back as I relaxed fully into the mattress. “I’d love that. You do know I came with a cat and a dog.”
He laughed. “I’m okay with that.”
“Daddy?”
Levi pulled out of me quickly, causing me to let out a little yelp.
“I’ll be right there, Rhett!”
He grabbed his sweats and slipped them on, almost falling in the process.
Reaching for a shirt, he slipped it on and went to reach for the door.
He turned and tossed me a wicked grin. All I could do was smile back as I sat up in bed.
Levi’s gaze ran over my body, hungry even though we’d just made love.
“I’ll get breakfast going.”
When he slipped out the door, softly shutting it behind him, I let out a soft laugh. Could life get any better than this?
I quickly showered and got dressed in the change of clothes I’d brought in my overnight bag. I put some mascara on, piled my hair up onto my head, and pondered if I should even bother putting any more makeup on. I decided the mascara was enough and made my way to the kitchen.
When I walked in, I came to an abrupt halt.
My eyes scanned the kitchen…and the numerous bouquets of red roses that covered nearly every single surface.
Rhett stood on top of the island, holding one single white rose, as Levi stood behind him.
“What’s all this?” I asked as I approached the island. “When did you do this?”
“I got up earlier and snuck down while you were sleeping,” Levi replied.
Rhett handed me the flower. “I love you, Em.”
My vision instantly blurred with tears as I took the rose. “Oh, Rhett, I love you too!”
He knelt and reached to hug me. Wrapping him in my arms, I started to cry.
I picked him up off the island and held him in my arms. “You have no idea how much I love you, little man.”
He drew back and looked at me. “To the moon and back?”
“And more!”
Rhett smiled and hugged me again, tighter this time. My heart melted, and I was overcome with so much love for him. I’d never in a thousand years thought I could love like this. It was the most amazing feeling I’d ever experienced.
When I set him down on a barstool, I shifted my gaze to Levi—and drew in a sharp breath.
He was kneeling on one knee, holding an open jewelry box.
My hands slowly came up to my mouth while I stared at the most beautiful ring I’d ever laid eyes on. When I looked at Levi, I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
“Emeline, these last months with you have been some of the most amazing moments of my life. I never in a million years dreamed I’d find someone who makes my heart feel whole the way it does with you.
Our future is in your eyes. I’m the luckiest man in the world that I get to be yours every single day.
This love we share is something you find once in a lifetime. ”
I felt tears roll down my cheeks and quickly wiped them away.
“Em, your heart is my whole universe. I want to be your last kiss for the rest of our lives. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Dropping to my knees, I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him. Drawing back, a half-laugh, half-sob escaped. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Rhett ran over and joined in on the hugging.
“Put the ring on, Daddy! Put the ring on!”
Levi and I both laughed as he took my hand in his and slid the most beautiful ring ever onto my finger. It was a cornflower-blue stone flanked by two white diamonds. The setting looked antique in appearance.
I stared at the ring, then at Levi. “Is this a sapphire?”
He smiled. “You mentioned once that you loved them, and when I saw it, it reminded me of your eyes.”
“How did you know I liked princess-cut stones?”
Levi blushed. “I overheard you telling Lilibeth that the princess cut was your favorite. It’s a Sri Lankan sapphire set in an antique platinum band. The diamonds are original to the band, but I had them replace the main stone with the sapphire.”
I slowly shook my head. “Levi, it’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”
He smiled and placed his hand on the side of my face. “Now, the next big question. When can we get married?”
“Today!” Rhett shouted.
I laughed and looked at the two most important men in my life. “Should we elope?”
Levi drew back in surprise. “You don’t want a big wedding?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Levi, I have been in love with you since I was fourteen. I’d marry you in the county courthouse today if I thought we could get someone to meet us there.”
Taking my hand in his, we finally stood up. A wicked smile appeared on Levi’s face. “I hear Lake Tahoe is beautiful this time of year.”
“What about the Thanksgiving food?” I asked.
“I was never actually going to cook. I just wanted you here so I could ask you. Your mother and father are expecting us over there for Thanksgiving dinner.”
My eyes went wide. “That’s why you wouldn’t let me in the kitchen last night! My parents knew you were going to ask me to marry you?”
“Of course they did,” Levi said. “I asked their permission. After I asked Caden first.”
A warm sensation flooded my entire body. “You did?”
He drew me to him and kissed my forehead. “I did.”
Chewing on my lip, I made the quickest decision I’d ever made in my entire life. Glancing down at Rhett, I asked, “How fast can you pack a bag, Rhett?”
He jumped in excitement! “Super-fast, if you help me!”
Focusing back on Levi, I let out a laugh. “Are we really going to do this?”
He winked. “I’m down if you are!”
“Let’s go to Tahoe!”
“Wait! What about turkey and pie?” Rhett asked.
“Let’s go to Tahoe after Thanksgiving!” I called out as Rhett jumped and cheered.