“I did. It was supposed to be a surprise. But I am afraid I might have waited too long.”
“Would you stop talking in riddles?” she said, growing cross.
“I was going to go home, pack up my apartment and rent a U-Haul to bring it all back here. I quit my job. I have a new job at the hospital here in town.”
“You do?” she asked quietly.
He sighed. “Do you remember that day we went to the jewelry store and I had the big box and the little box?”
“Yeah,” she said cautiously.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box. He flipped it open and held it out for her to see. “I took it to have it cleaned.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said, still not understanding.
He dropped to one knee. A tear rolled down her cheek and she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I took it to be cleaned so I could give it to you…” he said shyly. “When I ask you to marry me.”
“Why do you want to marry me?” she asked, taking the box from his outstretched hand.
He stood up and drew her close to him. He kissed her forehead.
“Because I want you,” he said.
Her face fell.
He kissed her nose.
“Because I need you.”
She frowned.
He lifted her chin and kissed her lips. He looked into her eyes and said, “Because I love you and can’t live without you.”
She immediately threw both arms a
round his neck and pressed herself against him, tears rolling down both cheeks.
He peeled her off of him and said, “Can I take it that this reaction means you feel the same way about me?”
“Oh, Brody! I love you, love you, love you.” She rained kisses across his cheeks, chin and nose. Her lips finally met his tenderly. “I always have.” She paused. “I feel a little guilty, though,” she said as he slipped the engagement ring onto his finger.
“Why?” he asked.
She said quietly against his ear, “I think I may be pregnant.”
He clutched her closer.
“You think or you know?” He smiled against her neck.
“I think I know,” she said. “I was afraid to tell you because I didn’t want to take your choice away. I didn’t want you to feel like you had to stay. Or like I trapped you.”
“Woman,” he said, swatting her bottom. “You had me trapped from the first time I saw you.”
“In a good way?” Lou asked.
“In a wonderful way,” Brody replied.