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She blinked. “You want to marry me?”
He nodded.
“And adopt Owen?”
Daniel nodded again. “But I don’t want you to feel pressured. There’s no rush?—”
“Stop talking.” For the second time, tears spilled down Ellie’s cheeks. She stepped into the circle of his embrace, cupping his face with her delicate hands. “My answer is yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.”
Relief and joy crashed over him like a tidal wave. For a moment, he couldn't speak, couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything but stare into her eyes and wonder how he'd gotten so lucky. This woman—this incredible, brave, beautiful woman—wanted to spend her life with him. Wanted to build a family with him.
“I love you, Daniel Perez, and I don’t need a ring or fancy proposals or grand gestures. I want you. Someone who willfight to make our relationship work, who loves me deeply. Quiet and steady, a good friend, and a caring family man. Someone who will help me raise Owen with strong values and a deep faith.” Her thumbs brushed against the bruises on his cheeks. “I prayed for someone like you, and I’m so grateful God brought us together.”
Daniel couldn't wait another second. He lowered his head and captured her lips with his, pouring every ounce of love, gratitude, and promise into the kiss. It was tender and sweet. Reverent, but passionate enough to heat his blood. It was a kiss full of promises—of forever, of family, of a love that had been tested by fire and emerged stronger than steel.
Ellie melted into him, her hands sliding from his cheeks to wind around his neck, and for a moment, the rest of the world simply disappeared. There was only their love and the future stretching out before them like a beautiful dream finally coming true.
When they finally parted, Daniel’s joy couldn’t be measured as Ellie laid her head on his chest. They stood there for a long time, just holding each other and relishing the moment. Then he gently brushed her hair away from her temple and tucked it behind her ear. “What do you think about telling everyone about our engagement? We could turn the justice-was-served-all-is-right-with-the-world party into an engagement announcement.”
“Actually, I have a better idea. What do you think about making it a wedding reception?”