Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

“It’s been… difficult,” he admits.

“For me, too.” I tear up, unable to hold it in any longer. “I miss you,” I whisper.

He presses his lips together and nods, clearly struggling to speak, but I feel that he has so much to say to me. The room is heavy and silent. I know I’m going to have to lead this conversation. He’s clearly unable to. I take his hand in mine and I lift it closer to my mouth.

He watches me, his eyes become glazed, his pain palpable.

My face falls at his upset. “Baby,” I whisper as I take him in my arms. “Don’t look at me like that.” I hold him tight, and he clings to me as if his life depends on it.

“I can’t fucking stand being without you,” he whispers into my hair.

I smile sadly, and I kiss his lips. His face screws up against mine.

“Oh, Julian,” I whisper as I stare up at him, cupping his face in my hand. He’s so hurt.

“I’ve been working through things and…” His voice trails off. “I’m trying.”

“I know you are.”

Why am I doing to us?

“I don’t care.” I shake my head. “I don’t care if you don’t want to marry me. I don’t care if I don’t have children. I just want you,” I whisper through tears. “I can’t live one more day without you,” I breathe. “I just want you. I don’t care about the other things anymore.” I frown. “I’m sorry for doing this to us.”

He stares at me as his eyes cloud over. “You would give up what you want for me?”

I nod. “I would.”

“But you being happy is what makes me happy.”

I smile softly. “I’ll be happy as long as I’m with you and the kids. I don’t need anything else.”

His eyes hold mine, and then without a word, he drops to his knee, and his shaking hands pull out a black velvet box.

My lips part as my world stops.

His breathing quivers and he looks up at me, filled with hope. "Brielle Johnston, will you marry me?" He opens the box to reveal a huge, oval, diamond ring.

My hands cover my mouth instantly.

“Please?” he whispers.

My eyes search his for a beat too long, and I drop to my knees in front of him. “W-what did you just say?”

He pulls my face to his. “Marry me, Bree.” His face is filled with so much hope, and my heart melts at the sight of him.

“But you said…”

“Forget what I said.” His hand cups my jaw and he presses his lips to mine. My cheeks are wet with tears. “I had no fucking idea what I was talking about back then.”

He takes the ring out, and with his hand still shaking, he slides it onto my finger.

“Answer me, baby” he whispers.

I frown, confused, still ringing with shock, until reality finally catches up with me and I smile broadly, “Yes.”

He stands, pulling me to my feet, and we kiss the best kiss we’ve ever had. I hold my hand up in the air to look at my ring.

It’s huge—like, stupid huge—and I smile goofily.