His eyes glaze over with a dreamy stare while he stands quietly. I start to worry, wondering why he won’t move.
“Amelia?”
I swallow the lump forming inside my throat. “Yes?”
Will reaches out both his hands, standing tall in front of me, looking incredibly handsome dressed in his denim collared shirt and khakis. His dark hair, normally styled when dressed in a suit, is loose and making him look like one of those bad boys you see driving a motorcycle.
“I’ve spent days racking my brain of how perfect I wanted this moment to be. But no matter what I came up with, it all seemed insignificant. You see, wherever we are, together, is perfect because when you are by my side, nothing else matters.”
“Will…” My voice begins to quiver. “What are you trying to say?”
I watch with wide eyes as he slowly bends down onto one knee. Around us, people have stopped to observe, a few taking out their phones.
“I promised you it was all in—no turning back. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Marry me, here, tonight.”
He produces a box from his pocket, opening it, and inside sits Mom’s emerald ring. I throw my hands over my mouth, hiding my smile while exhaling the deepest of breaths. Carefully, he removes the ring from the box and slides it on my finger, without even waiting for me to respond.
“I could wait for you to say yes,” he gazes at me with an arrogant smirk, “But we know you were always meant to be my wife.”
I’m unable to speak, and with a burst of excitement, I take his face into mine and kiss him deeply as people around us applaud.
“Yes, a million times over,” I sputter while grinning hopelessly.
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course, I trust you, Will.”
“Then follow me, please.”
He takes my hand as I follow him inside the chapel. When the door opens, my entire family is there, all of them with bright smiles on their faces the moment they see us. My parents and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, and even Eric and Tristan.
“What?” I turn to him, shocked at seeing everyone. “How did you plan this without me knowing?”
“It’s all Charlie and Adriana,” he praises, with a beam in his eye.
I shake my head, trying to calm myself down to be able to think straight. “Wait, so we’re getting married here?”
“Only if you want to. I know it’s not grand, and if that’s what you want, we can do that later. I didn’t want anything to stop you from finishing your degree, but I’m a selfish man. I want you to be my wife now. I’ve waited too long.”
He leans down, kissing me softly.
“It’s perfect, Will. We have waited too long. As long as our families are with us, nothing else matters.”
“Okay,” Aunt Adriana interrupts. “Can I steal you now?”
“Steal me?”
“Well, you ain’t getting married in a pair of jeans and a midriff tank.”
“Hold on,” Nikki comes between us. “We need a quick trip next door to obtain a marriage license. We’ll be back in five minutes. I’ve already spoken to Joe, and he is waiting for you.”
We head next door to see the Clark County, but my head is elsewhere, half-listening but not really caring as I sign the documents required. The entire time, Nikki is chatting away and before I can even get a word in, we are back inside the chapel.
Before I leave to get changed, I place my hands on Will’s chest while taking a deep breath. Lost in his loving gaze, there is no doubt he was always meant to be the one.
“See you at the alter?”
“I’ll be there.” He winks, kissing me one more time. “Last kiss as a single woman. How does it feel?”