Chapter 10 Lori #2
“Really,” Mitch said. “Lori, I’m retired. I can live anywhere. And now that Ryan wants to settle down, he can share parenting her with me. So why not spend those summers here on Nantucket? And winters in Florida with you. We can split our time. Make it work.”
“You’d do that?” Lori asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’d leave Nantucket for half the year?”
“For you?” Mitch said. “Yes. Absolutely. Without question.”
Tears pricked at Lori’s eyes. “Mitch...”
“And speaking of that,” Mitch said, and before Lori could process what was happening, he was dropping to one knee.
Lori’s breath caught in her throat.
Mitch reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet jewelry box. Her eyes widened, her free hand coming up to cover her mouth.
“Lori Carlton,” Mitch said, his voice steady but his eyes bright with emotion.
“I know we’ve only known each other for a few weeks.
I know this is fast and crazy and probably not what either of us expected.
But I’m not getting any younger, and I’ve learned that life’s too short to waste time when you know something is right. ”
He opened the box, revealing a beautiful ring. A simple but elegant diamond set in white gold, classic and timeless.
“I love you,” Mitch continued. “I love your strength and your kindness and the way you care for everyone around you. I love the way you make me laugh and the way you make me feel like I can be myself. I love that you’re smart and funny and beautiful and you don’t take any of my nonsense.”
Lori stood rooted in the spot, the butterflies going wild in her stomach as she fought back the tears.
“I don’t want to spend another day without you in my life,” Mitch said.
“I don’t want to wonder what if or think about how things could’ve been different.
I want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep beside you every night.
I want to build a life with you, wherever that life takes us. ”
He looked up at her, his eyes locked on hers. “Lori, will you marry me?”
Lori stared at him for a few seconds, completely frozen. Her brain couldn’t process what was happening. Mitch was proposing. Mitch Brandon was on one knee in front of her, holding a ring, asking her to marry him.
She’d thought she’d never have this again. Thought that part of her life was over.
But here he was. Offering her everything.
“Yes,” Lori breathed. “Yes, Mitch. Yes.”
Mitch’s face broke into the biggest smile she’d ever seen. He slipped the ring onto her finger with shaking hands, and then he was standing, pulling her into his arms and lifting her off her feet as he spun her around.
Applause erupted from behind them.
Lori looked over Mitch’s shoulder to see everyone standing in the back garden, clapping and cheering.
Sally had her hands clasped over her heart, tears running down her face.
Marcus was grinning and clapping. Glory and Jake were hugging each other and smiling.
Tessa was crying happy tears while Ryan held her, his own face split in a huge grin.
And Piper was jumping up and down, squealing at the top of her lungs. “I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I TOLD YOU THEY WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED!”
Lori laughed through her tears as Mitch set her down. They were immediately swarmed by their family and friends, everyone talking at once, offering congratulations and demanding to see the ring, and asking when the wedding would be.
“Let them breathe!” Sally finally said, laughing as she shooed everyone back toward the deck. “Give them a minute alone. Come on, everyone. Let’s give the newly engaged couple some privacy.”
The group dispersed reluctantly, Piper looking back over her shoulder with a huge grin as Marcus gently guided her toward the house.
When they were finally alone again, Mitch pulled Lori close, his arms wrapping around her waist.
“I can’t wait to get married,” he said softly, his lips brushing her temple. “I love you, Lori.”
Lori looked up at him, this man who’d come into her life so unexpectedly and changed everything. This man who’d protected her and fought for her and made her feel safe and loved and cherished.
“I can’t wait either,” she whispered. “I love you too, Mitch. So much.”
And then his lips were crushing hers in a kiss that made the rest of the world fall away. A kiss that tasted like salt from the ocean and tears and happiness. A kiss that felt like coming home. Like finding something she didn’t even know she’d been looking for.
Like the beginning of everything.
The sun was setting over the Atlantic, painting the sky in shades of pink, gold, and orange. The waves crashed against the rocky shore below. The sound of laughter and celebration drifted from the cottage behind them.
And Lori Carlton, standing in the arms of the man she loved, wearing his ring on her finger and his promise in her heart, had never been happier.
This was what love looked like. Second chances and new beginnings. Taking risks and trusting your heart. Choosing to believe that even after loss and pain and heartbreak, happiness could find you again.
And when it did, you grabbed it with both hands and held on tight.
THE END