Falling Fast

I take a sip coming out of my thoughts, watching Gia flutter around the house in a hurry to get all of her stuff together, with Loki following behind her, probably wondering what’s going on. Today is the first day of her new job, and she’s been a mess since she woke up at six to get ready to leave by eight.

“I have a question for you,” I tell her, as she brings her bag to the edge of the island and starts to search through it.

“What’s that?” she asks, stopping her search long enough to look up at me. I set down my coffee and lean forward, grabbing her hand. I pull her toward me to stand between my legs then I lift her left hand to rest over my heart, and covering it with my own before reaching into my pocket. “What are you doing?” she whispers, studying me.

“First, you are going to do great today, so stop worrying. You love kids. That will shine through with them, and you’re you, so they’re going to love you,” I tell her, and then I lift her left hand away from my chest. “Second, do you mind wearing this for me?” I slide the simple four-carat diamond solitaire Tiffany ring I bought for her onto her ring finger. A ring I started looking for after our first kiss. A ring I didn’t find until a week ago, after searching every jewelry store from here to Georgia. I wanted the ring to be perfect, and looking at it on her hand, I know it is. Now I just hope she says yes.

I didn’t know I would propose to her this morning, but seeing her get ready for work and feeling her excitement about starting a new job, I knew the time was right. This moment is right. I want her to go to work with a ring on her finger that lets everyone know she belongs to someone, that she has a family who loves her.

Hearing her breath catch, I come out of my head and watch her study the diamond now sitting at the base of her ring finger on her left hand. “I… you… I….” She looks from me to the ring then back again.

“I want you to start your new job as my fiancée. I want today to be the start of our life together.” I lift her hand and kiss her finger over her ring. “Will you marry me, Gia?”

“Yes,” she answers immediately, and I rest my forehead to hers. I knew it’d feel good if she said yes, but I had no idea just how relieved I’d be.

“Best thing that ever happened to me is you. You’re the best part of my day, the best part of my life, and I’m really looking forward to spending my life with you.”

“You’re going to make me cry,” she whispers, and I see tears pooling in her green eyes.

“You can’t cry. You need to get to work,” I tell her, and she laughs, closing her eyes.

“I can’t even show you properly how happy I am.” She opens her eyes as she slides her hand up my chest to wrap around the back of my neck, which means I feel all of her pressed against me, and all of that is good.

“Tonight.” I slide my hands down her back then over her ass, pulling her tightly against me.

“Tonight,” she agrees against my mouth.

“Something to look forward to.” I slant my head, and when her lips part, I slip my tongue into her mouth, tasting her and the coffee she was drinking earlier. Knowing if I don’t stop this now I won’t stop and she’ll be late to her first day at work, I slow the kiss and pull back. “I love you, Gia.” I open my eyes, finding hers still closed.

“I love you, Colton.” She runs her fingers down my jaw then her eyes meet mine. “Best thing that ever happened to me in my life is you, and I’m really looking forward to being your wife. I promise I will try to make you as happy as you make me.” She whispers as one single tear slides down her cheek.

“You just breathing my air makes me happy, baby,” I promise, and her face softens. “I hate that you gotta go, but you need to get to work.”

She glances to the side where the clock is before she looks at me once more. “You so owe me tonight,” she grumbles, seeing the time, and I grin.

“I’ll gladly pay up.” I kiss her once more then let her go, and I watch her gather her stuff up. Once she’s ready, I walk her out to her Jeep, help her in, and kiss her once more before slamming her door and watching her back out and drive away.