Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“I can make my own decisions, you know,” she says beside me.
I nod. “I also know you would not have wanted to argue with your family. I’m glad they didn’t make you.” I tip my head at the three men who stand with their hands around the respective women in their lives.
“Thank you, Carrie and Samuel, for treating me like I’m part of the family. It means the world to me.”
The couple smiles at me.
“Thanks to Lydia and John for raising such a fabulous woman and to my mom for being my rock.”
She brings her hands to her heart and blows me a kiss.
“Finally, L.J., thanks for sharing your mom with me. And thank you for giving me permission to do this.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring I bought a long time ago. I’ve just been waiting for Amber to be ready. Then I drop to one knee.
Amber gasps. I know she expected a graduation and congratulations party … not this.
“Amber, from the second you bumped into me on campus—”
“Umm, I think you bumped into me,” she says with a grin.
“From the second we bumped into each other and I looked into your eyes, I think I recognized the other half of my soul. I just wasn’t ready to admit to myself I was ready. We all know it didn’t take long for me to fall for your laughter, your warmth, and your poor, poor economics skills.”
The tinkling of laughter warms me inside.
“I fell for your son the minute he smiled at me. And we became a family. Now I just want to make it legal and tie you to me forever. Amber, will you marry me?” I hold out the round diamond with pavé stones surrounding it.
“Yes! A million times, yes.”
I slide the ring onto her hand and then her lips are on mine. We kiss too briefly and then I stand up, grinning like a fool, Amber pulled tightly against me.
I barely hear the clapping around us. All I can focus on is the woman in my arms. The boy beaming with approval beside us. The family that is now mine.