Lifeline

Even crying, she’s fucking beautiful.

JJ wraps her arms around my neck, then I’m yanked down so she can bury her face against me. Tenderly, I hold her while she cries, and it makes emotion well in my chest.

After a long while, she croaks, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

A smile instantly splits over my face, and lifting myself up with one arm, I brush her tears from her cheek with my other hand, then say, “Be right back.”

Pulling away from her, I get off the bed and walk out of the room. I take the stairs down to my parents’ room and, going straight to the vault, I open it and remove the small box. After restoring the bedroom to its former glory, I had my mother’s ring sized to fit JJ.

It's been passed down from my great-grandmother, and I’m hoping JJ’s okay with the tradition.

Opening the box, I stare down at the ring my father proposed to my mother with.

You would’ve loved her as much as I do.

Chapter 30

JJ

Sitting in a mess of sheets, I’m trying to gain control over my emotions when O’Brien stalks back into the room in all his naked glory.

My eyes instantly land on the box in his hand, and all my efforts to calm down fly out the window.

My hands tremble as they cover my mouth.

He takes hold of my wrist and pulls me off the bed. When I’m standing in front of him, he drops down to one knee. “You’re the only woman I’ll kneel before. I’ve waited my whole life for you, Julie Jefferson. Don’t make me wait another day to see you wearing my ring.” I’m already nodding like an idiot.

When he opens the box and I see the antique ring, there’s no stopping the tears.

It’s his mother’s ring. God.

Knowing how much he loved her, my entire body shakes from the sobs.

“Will you be my wife?”

“Yes,” I croak through a tight throat. “I’d be honored and so unbelievably happy.”

Rising to his full height, he slips the ring onto my finger, and I’m honestly surprised when it fits perfectly. My eyes dart up to his. “You planned this?”

“Just prepared.” A grin tugs at his lips. “I was planning on doing something a hell of a lot more romantic, though.”

I shake my head as I look down at the ring on my finger. “This is perfect.”

O’Brien takes hold of my jaw, and tipping my head back, he kisses me tenderly. “Now I really need to feed you. Shower while I fix something for breakfast.”

“It’s morning already?”

His thumb brushes over my bottom lip. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

He grabs his sweatpants off the floor and drags them on. When he walks out of the bedroom, I look down at the ring again, the massive diamond sparkling in the electric light.

I’m engaged.

A chuckle bubbles from me, and then I rush to my bag to dig my phone out. Dialing Lindsay’s number, I get a grumble, “What? I’m sleeping.”

“O’Brien proposed to me.”

“What!?” she screeches. “He asked you to marry him? How? Was it romantic? Did he go down on one knee?”

I laugh at her questions. “It was perfect, and yes, he went down on one knee.”

“OhMyGodddd! I’m so happy for you.” Then she hiccups through a sob. “You deserve this so much, JJ.”

“Thanks, Lindsay.” I clear my throat, so I don’t start crying again. “There’s more.”

“Don’t tell me you’re eloping.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “No, not that I know of. I just wanted to give you a heads up. O’Brien will probably…” I pause when he walks back into the room, then he holds his hand out for the phone. “Ah… here he is.”

Placing the device to his ear, he grins, “Hey, Lindsay.” He reaches for my hand, his thumb brushing over the ring. “Yeah, I know I took my sweet time… Thanks… So, listen…” His eyes lock on mine. “I’d really love it if you and JJ would move in with me. I want you under my roof where I can take care of you.”

My throat closes up with emotion, and I swallow hard.

“Fuck, Lindsay,” he breathes, his features tightening. “Love you too, sweetheart… Yes, I promise I won’t break JJ’s heart. No, my best man is way too old for you. You’re talking shit now,” he chuckles. “I’m going to make breakfast. Oh, two eggs? Get your ass over here.” He ends the call, then shakes his head. “Christ, she’s going to be a handful.”

I wrap my arms around his waist and stare up at him. “That was really sweet. Thank you.”

Pressing a kiss to my lips, he says, “She’s my family too. You don’t have to say thank you.” Planting a smack on my butt, he adds, “Get your ass in the shower.”

“Yes, sir,” I say to tease him.

O’Brien just shakes his head at me as he leaves the room to make breakfast.