Sweet Little Nothing

On cue, “No One's Gonna Love You” by Band of Horses starts up right as the sun dips below the horizon.

"Sterling!" Emmalyn whips around to face, accusation evident in her big, brown eyes.

"Yes, baby?"

"What is all of this?" She throws her arms wide, gesturing to the patio. "What are you doing?"

"This," I murmur, dropping down to one knee.

Tears fill her eyes, but a smile splits her cheeks. "Ster."

"I love you. All of you. Every single part of you." I reach up and take her hand in mine. "I love you on your good days and on your bad. You're easily the best part of my life, Emmalyn Price. I didn't deserve a chance with you, and yet you gave me one. So, here I am now, once again asking for something I probably don't deserve."

I lean back ever so slightly on my heel and slide the velvet box from my pocket. "Marry me? Marry me and make me the happiest motherfucker on the planet?"

She nods, her tears freely falling.

"Words, baby. I need your words."

"Yes! Oh my God. Yes!"

I slide the ring onto her finger before standing and pulling her into my arms for a searing kiss. "I love you, little mouse."

"I love you, too." She squeezes me to her once more. “You will always be my home.”