He shrugged. ‘We can finish it when we get home.’
The cork popped out of the neck of the bottle and flew spectacularly through the air. Isaac’s head followed its trajectory and he ran to pick it up, stowing it in his pocket before resuming his imaginary flight up and down on the grass.
Edward turned towards her, handing her a glass, his own only half full. She tipped hers against his, smiling. ‘To today.’
‘And all the others to come.’
‘Yes.’
>
She took a sip, aware that he was watching her intently. ‘This is nice.’
He nodded. Took a sip from his own glass, never taking his eyes off her.
‘What?’
‘You’re so beautiful.’
He made her feel beautiful. She leaned forward and kissed him.
‘I love you, Charlotte. You and Isaac.’ His gaze was still on her, dark and intent. ‘You’ve shown me how to live my life, and I won’t let you down.’
He seemed to have something on his mind. ‘What’s the matter, Edward?’
‘Drink your champagne.’
She lifted the glass, and as she tipped it something solid slid against her lips. Jumping, she emptied the glass onto the grass beside her. ‘What was that?’
Edward started to chuckle, flopping onto his back on the blanket, as she searched in the grass.
‘Don’t laugh—there was something in my drink...’ She searched in the grass to find whatever it was, and then she saw it. Sparkling in the sunlight.
‘That didn’t go quite the way I planned.’ He was still lying on his back, laughing.
‘Did you put this in my glass?’ She leaned over him, holding the ring in front of his nose.
‘Yep. I thought it might be romantic. You know—finding a ring in your glass. But you weren’t looking at what you were drinking.’
‘That’s because I only have eyes for you.’
He chuckled. ‘Clearly.’ He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned in for a kiss. ‘So now that I’ve messed that up completely...’
‘No, you haven’t. You couldn’t have done anything nicer.’
‘Well, will you? Marry me? I meant everything I said, Charlotte. About loving you and looking after you and Isaac...’
‘I know. I love you, too, Edward. And, yes, I’ll marry you.’ She handed him the ring, wanting more than anything for him to slip it onto her finger. ‘Was this what you were doing yesterday?’
‘Mmm-hmm. Do you like it?’
‘It’s perfect.’
She looked at the ring in his hand. Three large diamonds. One for each of them—the family that she’d so wanted. Her heart was going to burst if things got any better.
Isaac skidded to a halt next to Edward and flung himself across his stomach.
‘Ooof. Steady on, mate, I was just having a conversation with your mother.’