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Jack, waiting for me with a look in his eyes that makes the whole world go still.

“Dinner is served,” he says with a smile.

We finish dinner slowly, caught between lingering bites and soft glances. Everything tastes better with him here. I don’t want the night to end.

After clearing the plates and laughing over who did more of the work—him ordering the food or me finding the wine opener—we collapse onto the couch. His arm finds its way around my shoulders, and I curl into him like I’ve done it a thousand times.

His heartbeat is steady beneath my cheek when he says, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Uh oh,” I tease, tilting my head up to look at him. “That sounds serious.”

He chuckles. “It kind of is. Don’t you think it’s time you met my dad?”

I blink, caught off guard. “Really?”

“And Harry. He’s my best friend,” he adds. “I want you to meet the two most important people in my life.”

My heart swells a little at that. “I honestly can’t wait. I’ve been meaning to meet your dad and thank him for raising the best man in the world.”

Jack laughs, the kind of laugh that makes my whole chest feel warm. “You’re giving him too much credit.”

“No,” I say, nudging his side. “I’m not. He did something right, because you… you’re everything I didn’t know I needed.”

He kisses the top of my head and holds me tighter. “They’re going to love you.”

I smirk. “They better. Or I’ll fight them.”

He laughs again, louder this time. “Harry might actually enjoy that. He likes chaos.”

“I can’t wait.”

I feel his warmth shift as he pulls away from me and stands by the couch. I frown, looking up at him, my heart tightening.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, voice soft but steady.

He shakes his head, eyes dark with something I can’t quite place. “No,” he says, low and earnest. “I’ve been restless, Mia.”

My brow furrows. “Why?”

He takes a slow breath, then looks back at me. “I want more. More from you.”

My pulse quickens. “How?”

Before I can say more, he sinks down on one knee right in front of me. My breath catches. He pulls a small jewelry box from his pocket, smooth and heavy in his hand.

I gasp.

He opens it carefully, revealing a ring—expensive, classic, sparkling with quiet brilliance.

I stare, heart pounding, overwhelmed by everything this moment means.

He looks up at me, his eyes shining brighter than any ring could ever sparkle. There’s something raw and real in his gaze that makes my heart pound in my chest.

“Mia,” he says softly but with so much conviction, “I want to be more than your boyfriend. I want to be your everything. Your husband, your best friend, your partner in all things. I want to wake up next to you every morning, face every challenge with you by my side. I want to build a family with you, to be the father of our children, to create a life filled with love, laughter, and even the hard days we’ll get through together.”

He takes a deep breath, his hand trembling just a little as he holds out the small velvet box. “I want to be married to you forever. I want to be your family, Mia. Please… will you marry me?”

My breath catches, and my eyes fill with tears I’ve been holding back all evening. The weight of his words, the honesty in his voice, and the love in his eyes overwhelm me. I can’t stop the tears as they spill down my cheeks. I sniff, struggling to keep my voice steady, but I nod so eagerly that it feels like my whole soul is nodding with me.

“Yes! Yes, Jack! Of course I will!”

His face breaks into the most beautiful smile, full of relief and joy. Slowly, carefully, he slides the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly, shining like the promise it represents.

We lean into each other, and our lips meet in a kiss that tastes of everything we’ve been through and all the dreams we hold for the future. I feel his hands cradle my face, gentle and sure, as if he’s trying to memorize every part of me in this moment.

When we finally part, our foreheads rest together and we whisper softly, “I love you.”

The room feels warmer, fuller—like this is just the beginning of forever.