The Officer (Forbidden Encounters 2)

“Is there a wedding ring in my future?'' I ask, my eyes wide and hopeful. It isn’t silly to wish for a ring, right? After all, he did mention family and children and marriage.

“There is, in fact,” he says, smiling and kneeling back down on the lakeshore before me.

“What are you doing?” I ask, unsure of what to think. He isn’t proposing now, is he?

“I have this ring,” he whispers, looks down, pulling out a box from his pocket, “but I don’t know if you’ll like it.” He looks up, his eyes unsure of his selection.

My eyes are wide in shock. The man literally has a wedding ring in his pocket. How is this possible? Forcing myself to breathe slowly, I take a steadying breath.

“Why wouldn’t I like it?” I wonder, genuinely curious. “It’s not one of those silly ring pops is it?” I joke, hoping that he isn’t playing some ridiculous joke. If he’s messing with me, I will kill him and hide his body in this very lake.

“Well,” he laughs, “I think the ring might be a little too simple for a girl like you,” he whispers, his voice gentle as the lake laps playfully around his boots.

“A girl like me?” I ask smiling down at him again.

Looking at the box, he opens it and exposes a single solitaire diamond ring. It is absolutely beautiful, and definitely not too simple for me. The size of the ring alone draws attention in a way that all but sings, “Lucy, wear me. Lucy, be mine.”

He looks nervous now, as he slowly looks up from the ring to my stunned face.

“I knew I wanted to marry you this morning. I woke up in bed next to you, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I thought about our life together.” His

voice trails off as he remembers the morning we had together.

“It really was a perfect morning before you found the sweatshirt,” I giggle, remembering the incredible morning sex, the declarations of undying love, and the amazing banana pancakes. He had such a lovely singing voice, I remember.

“Yes, and that is exactly what I want for us to have every day for the rest of our lives,” he says, his voice full of joy, his eyes sparkling with light. “After I spoke with your father and everything was sorted out, I drove to the jewelry store. I know it’s a little sudden, but Lucy, you and I have been together and have known each other for almost twenty years,” he adds smiling at me. I don’t know if anyone knows you better than I do, or if anyone knows me better than you do.”

I nod, saying nothing, afraid to interrupt. Could this be a dream? If I ask a question, will I wake and find myself back home, dreaming about a life with the man before me?

“Marry me Lucy, be my wife, make me the happiest man I can possibly be,” he pleads, his eyes searching my face for a sign.

I stare into those eyes for a long moment. It's amazing how he can reach me on such a deep level. I don’t know that anyone has ever known me better or made me feel more alive than he does when I am with him.

“Okay,” I say, as my heart skips a beat, “I will marry you,'' I giggle, completely in awe of where we were now.

In a move so sudden I can barely cling to him to prevent myself from falling, he picks me up and spins me in a circle, the world and stars spin around us for a perfect moment as I hold on, tightly pressing my face into his neck and kissing him softly.

I don’t know that life has ever been any better than it is right now. I can’t imagine it getting better. So much has changed in the last year so much has changed for the better. Twirling one more time, Kenton stops, facing the lake, holding me close in his arms.

“Lucy, you have made me the happiest man in the world.” He grins, leaning forward and kissing me, as my arms tighten around his neck, pulling him close in the perfect embrace.

“Does this mean we can finally tell people about us?” I ask, hopeful, and desperate to share the good news.

“Yes, I suppose we should,” he grins, placing me back on my feet, and grabbing the ring from the box, still clutched in his hand.

Sliding the ring onto my finger, we both pause and appreciate the way it sparkles under the moon and the stars.

“It’s perfect, Kenton,” I gush holding it closer to get a better look. I can’t believe we are getting married!”

I am so happy. I feel as if I might burst. This must be the way Abbie feels right now. We are so lucky to have found our soulmates at such young ages. There is a sense of security in that. We don’t have to worry about what life will be like in twenty years because we already know. We will still be with the men we love, living life the way we have always wanted to.

Turning away from the lake and taking my hand, we walk back through the woods together, led by the light of the lantern he’s carrying, and the moon above. It is incredibly romantic. I feel as if I am a princess in some fairy tale, except instead of wearing a romantic gown, I am wearing my favorite gym clothes. I can’t help but laugh. It isn’t the way I expected it to happen, but I am glad it happened the way it did when it did.

“When do you think we should get married?” I ask, easily keeping pace with him as we step over fallen leaves and dodge low branches.

“I don’t know,” he says, his voice thoughtful. “When would you want to get married?”

“Well, Abbie’s wedding is coming up soon. What if we did a double wedding,” I gush, excited by the idea. I don’t expect him to be on board, but it’s fun to watch his face as he tries to think of a polite way to decline.