Page 79

Emma shakes her head, blushing, and looking overwhelmed in the best way. Liz continues, “And we all know this wouldn’t have happened without her drive, her stubbornness,” she winks at Emma, “and the people who believed in her. Pearl, Claire, Stella you ladies were and are her rock.”
Pearl, soft but fierce, waves her hand. “You say that like we’re leaving. We’ll still be here, bossing her around.”
Laughter ripples through the room. Claire nods. “Couldn’t be prouder of you, sweetheart.”
Emma sniffles, touched, before turning to Stella, who is smirking like she knows something I don’t like.
Stella grabs the mic from Liz. “Actually, I think there’s one more person who deserves a moment.”
Emma blinks. “What?” And before she can react, I move. I step forward, pulling the velvet box from my pocket.
And then I drop to one knee. The entire room gasps. Emma freezes.
The world shrinks, it’s just me and her, standing in the middle of her dream, our home, our future. I flip the box open, revealing the silver ring inside, a single diamond, simple, timeless, like her.
Emma covers her mouth, eyes wide, glassy with unshed tears. I swallow, forcing the words out past the lump in my throat.
“Emma Greene…” My voice is steady. “I’ve loved you since I didn't fully understand what love is. I loved you then, I love you now, and I know I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”
She sobs. I smile, my voice now full of certainty. “So, if you’ll have me, I’d like to spend forever proving it to you.”
A beat of silence. Then…
She nods frantically, laughing through her tears. “Yes. Oh yes, yes.”
The room erupts. Cheers, claps, laughter, but all I hear is her. I slide the ring onto her finger, then stand, pulling her into my arms, kissing her like she’s my whole world. Because she is.
She pulls back, giggling. “You really did this at my clinic opening?” I smirk. “Had to make sure you couldn’t run this time.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Idiot.”
Pearl dabs her eyes dramatically. “Oh, this is better than a soap opera.” Claire smiles, proud. “Took you long enough.” And Stella? She just smirks, arms crossed. “Told you so.”
Emma turns to her, gaping. “You knew?”
Stella grins. “Sweetheart, we all did. Even Buddy.” Buddy barks, tail wagging, and the whole room laughs.
Then Nate whistles, stepping up with Liam at his side. “Darn, you really went for it, huh?”
Liam claps my back, smirking. “Guess I won’t have to watch you sulk anymore.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop smiling. Nate raises his beer. “To Bryan and Emma. About time.”
Liz wipes a tear, nudging Emma. “Welcome to the family, for real, this time.”
Emma beams, holding onto me tighter. And as I look at her, this incredible, stubborn, beautiful woman standing beside me.
I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
********