Afton’s wearing less than me. She has on a pair of white lace panties, and a blanket draped around her shoulders.
I approach her with calm and easy steps.
“Come and sit next to me.” Her hand darts out from beneath the blanket to point at the chair next to her.
I ignore the request and instead drop to one knee.
Her mouth falls open in slow motion. “Luke.”
If I was good at speeches, my life’s path might have taken me in another direction, but I’m not skilled in that regard. I say it like I mean it, so I let it flow. “I love you, Afton Neal. I had no idea the day we met that destiny had my back. Fuck, did it have my back.”
She laughs.
I take her hand in mine, brushing my lips over her palm. “In a short time, you’ve proven to me what love is. You’ve lit up my life like the Fourth of July fireworks. Every moment I’ve had with you is better than the last, and I know some people might think it’s too soon for this, but fuck them. My heart is yours. That’s never going to change. I promise I’ll be the best man I can be every day I’m on this earth. Please marry me, Afton. Let me love you forever.”
I fumble with the ring box before I snap it open to reveal the one-of-a-kind diamond and ruby ring.
Her hand flies to my cheek. “Yes, yes, and yes. I’ll marry you, Luke. I’ll marry you.”
I take her for a kiss that leaves me breathless.
We part when we hear voices above us, yelling their congratulations.
I sprint to the back of the garden and glance up to see my future brothers-in-law with their faces in an open window. “She said yes!”
“Welcome to the family, Luke!” Nelson calls down.
“I’ll grab the champagne!” Joel adds. “I’m using my extra key to come in, so get decent. We’re about to have a Walton-Neal Jones celebration for the ages.”
Epilogue
3 Months Later
Luke
“Did you kiss Auggie goodbye for me?” Afton asks as soon as she steps into our home.
Nodding, I set down the knife in my hand. “His mom picked him up fifteen minutes ago. He said to tell you he loves you.”
Her eyes shine. “I hope you told him that I love him too.”
I did.
I do that every chance I get. Right now, that’s every Wednesday and second weekend. I’m still going through the process to adopt August, but Brooklyn has been working with me to guarantee I get time with my son.
She understands the value I bring to Auggie’s life, and she admitted today that she likes Afton. I’m grateful for that.
The three of us put Auggie first.
I cherish every moment I have with him. After I moved in with Afton, we cleared out her small second bedroom and bought him a bed and a toy chest. Afton went the extra mile and had a poster created from one of the stories I’ve written and illustrated for him. It’s hanging in his room next to the window.
Last night, for the first time, I read him a story that included my fiancée. Auggie loved it and fell asleep with a smile on his face.
“Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious.” Afton slides the cardigan she’s wearing off to reveal a white blouse.
I pat the front of my Eat My Meat apron. “I had a sample taste, and you’re going to love it.”
“The food or your meat?” She tilts her head. “I’m partial to the latter, but I’m open to the former because I’m starving.”
“You’ll eat what I’m cooking for dinner, and then later, you’ll enjoy the meat.” I cock a brow.
“If a long, hard, slow fuck follows the blow job I’ll give you, I’m in.”
I drop my head. “Afton.”
“Luke,” she mimics the need in my tone. “Dinner first, puzzle next, and then we’ll savor each other.”
“No puzzle.” I point to the completed puzzle on the dining room table. “I finished it. It’s a mountain scene with a goat on one of the peaks.”
Nearing where I’m standing, she laughs. “My dad needs to change up his puzzle choosing game. I brought you a puzzle.”
She sets a plain white box on the island.
“You got me a puzzle?” I question.
Opening the box, she tilts it so the pieces tumble out. There can’t be more than two dozen of them. I immediately recognize letters.
Wiping my hands on the front of the apron, I let curiosity lead me. “This looks simple. How about I do it now, we push dinner back an hour, and I fuck you before you blow me?”
“Hey now.” Her hands dart into the air. “That’s a complete change-up of the scheduled programming.”
I don’t wait for another word from her before I start flipping puzzle pieces over so I can get my eyes on everything I’m working with.