A groan left me as I realized in just about every way that was possible. I’d suggested it casually, and as a way to ensure Elle was happy. That was how my brain had been working, but it wasn’t because that would be the only reason I wanted to marry Lindsay. I guess I’d just assumed that she’d feel the same way, especially after last night. We’d been so close, and I shared so much with her. I was certain she wasn’t holding back either, but had I misjudged something?
I didn’t think so, and as I observed her throughout the day, watching how she interacted with Elle, while steering clear of me, I was certain she had declined because she was hurt and didn’t want to be used as a convenient wife and mother-substitute. I was sure she felt as strongly about me as I did her, but she needed a better proposal.
She certainly deserved a much better one, and my brain started processing ideas.
I didn’t get a chance to enact any of them until a few days later: Christmas Eve. I wanted to catch her unaware, so I enlisted Elle’s help. Maybe it was a bad idea, in case Lindsay said no, but she seemed confident that her nanny would say yes when I confided my plan to her.
Now, she led Lindsay down the stairs, and they were both dressed in coordinating. red evening gowns. That had been Elle’s idea, and when she’d surprised Lindsay with “her” plan for a lovely evening in, she’d given her the red dress at that time. Betsy had been persuaded to provide her size a few days ago, after laundry day. Margot was in on it too, since she had cooked our dinner and the special dessert.
I offered an arm to each of them, and when they both took one, it felt so right that I stumbled. I nearly stumbled again when Lindsay lifted her head to whisper against my ear, “You look good enough to eat in that tux, Mr. Hudson.” Then she gave me an innocent smile and moved a few inches away.
It had been miserable for the past few days waiting to see if she would come to my room. She hadn’t, and I hadn’t gotten any signals suggesting I should go to her. I’d given her time to withdraw and get over her hurt, knowing tonight was in the works.
Margot had outdone herself, and it was a feast from the appetizer to the entrée. As the dessert came out in parfait cups, my stomach clenched with nerves. Thinking she would agree and hearing it confirmed were two different things.
“What is this?” she asked as her spoon broke the burnt sugar shell.
“Orange crème brûlée. It’s my favorite,” said Elle.
“Next to chocolate cake,” I added, watching avidly as she scooped up a bite.
“It’s my favorite Christmas eve dessert,” Elle amended. “But chocolate cake is my favorite regular dessert.”
“It’s really yummy,” said Lindsay a moment later and closed her eyes.
When she withdrew the spoon from her sweet mouth, she noticed the gift I had placed in front of her: a small, red box.
“Open it,” I said.
With trembling hands, she undid the ribbon and clicked the box open. The light made it gleam, and she gasped. “Is this…?”
“It is,” I said.
Elle beat me to the punchline. She jumped from her seat and ran over to Lindsay. Before I could join her, she was on both her knees, hugging Lindsay around the waist. “Will you marry us?”
Lindsay blinked rapidly, and she patted Elle on the shoulder, but looked at me with hesitation.
“I couldn’t leave Elle out of the proposal, because the truth is, if you say yes, you will be marrying both of us.” After messing up and hurting her the other day, my first inclination had been to do this as a solo date, but I was certain Elle needed to be included in the process. “And if you marry us, you’ll make us both so happy.”
She blinked back tears before nodding. “Yes, I’ll marry both of you.”
I let out a pent-up breath and finally managed to join Elle on the floor, but on only one knee. In a smooth motion, I lined up the ring with her finger and asked, “So you’ll make me the happiest man alive?”
She nodded, grinning, and held out her hand. “Yes, oh yes,” she whispered in a shaky voice.
I pushed the ring down firmly, anticipating the day when a white gold wedding
band would join it. “I know you love Elle, and so do I, but I want to marry you because I love you, Lindsay. With all my heart and soul.”
A tear escaped then, but I wasn’t worried, because she started laughing—a joyous sound. “I love you too, Ben.”
I swept her into my arms and gave her a long, thorough kiss. I might have forgotten my head and kept going if Elle hadn’t interrupted us.
“Does this mean I can have a sister, Lindsay?”
Lindsay laughed. “I can’t control if it’s a brother or sister, but I’d be happy to give you a sibling, if your dad is willing.”
I grinned, flashing my eyes at Lindsay. “I’m always ready for that, love.”