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“Ria.”
Ria looked up at Tristan. His carefree smile had grown serious.
“Yes? Is everything all right?”
“More than all right.” He squeezed her hand. “I did want to talk to you, though.”
“All right.” Ria’s heart began to race, and Tristan squeezed her hand again.
“This last year and a bit, with you by my side, has been the best of my life. I think people would laugh if I admitted this, but I’d rather clean the kitchen or wrangle tantrums with you than doanythingwith anyone else. I feel like I’ve grown to love you more with each day that’s gone by.” Tristan smiled at her, his green eyes crinkling.
“That’s sweet.” Ria nudged him with her shoulder. “Do you still love me more each day, even though I’ve broken at least a dozen cups and one of your windows?”
Tristan chuckled. “I think those things made me love you more. Anyway, you have to admit that it took skill to break that window.”
“Yep. I had to run into the bookshelf at just the right angle so that it would fall into the window.” They both chuckled at the memory. Luckily, the kids had been out of the house at the time — they’d been rearranging the playroom as a surprise. While moving the furniture, one thing had led to another until the window was in pieces.
“I wasn’t even surprised, though. After the vase, I was ready for anything.” Tristan stopped in front of Ria, bringing them both to a stop, and took her other hand in his. “But seriously, Ria, you’ve made every part of my life better. I’m a better father because of you, of course, but I’m also a better man because of you. I love you more than I can put into words.”
Ria smiled up at him. “I love you, too.” Then her mouth dropped open as Tristan slowly sank onto one knee.
“Ria Eliana Hampton,” he said, his gaze never leaving hers. “I never want to spend another day without you. I want you in my home, in my bed, and in my life, always. I want to make our decisions together. I want to raise our kids together. I want to grow old by your side. I want to show you every day, every hour, every minute, how much you mean to me. Ria, will you marry me?” In his hand, a beautiful diamond ring glittered in an ornate velvet box.
Ria wanted nothing more than to fall into Tristan’s arms with an enthusiastic “yes!” But she couldn’t. She took a deep breath.
“Tristan, there’s something I should tell you.”
“Oh.” Tristan looked alarmed. “Should I get up?”
“No, no. I just…” Ria let go of one of his hands so that she could press a palm to her stomach. “Tristan, I’m pregnant. I know you never planned to be a father, and the triplets were quite a surprise, andthis is another surprise, but?—”
But Tristan was already on his feet, sweeping Ria into his arms. “Oh, Ria, this is the best news!” He kissed her, lightly, then dropped to his knees again so he could kiss her stomach.
“Really?”
“Of course. I love you. I love the triplets. I already love this baby — although it might be more convenient if it’s just one baby.”
Ria chuckled. “I can’t make any promises.”
Tristan stood again, lifted her into his arms, and spun her around. Then he set her down. “Being a parent with you has been one of the best experiences of my life. OfcourseI’m happy that we get to keep doing that.”
“Me too.” They smiled at each other for a long moment. Then Ria’s eyes widened. “Oh! And yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes, if you still want to marry me, there’s nothing I want more than to marry you.”
“You do?” Tristan beamed. The ring reappeared, and he carefully slid it onto her finger. “Then let’s get married. And let’s become parents all over again! I’m ready for anything — as long as you’re with me.”
“Always.” Ria stretched onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to Tristan’s lips. He kissed her back, thoroughly, until Ria’s knees were weak. In that moment, everything felt absolutely perfect. The two of them stood on the white-sand beach, beside the crashing cerulean waves, beneath an azure-blue sky, in each other’s arms. They were getting married. They were parents to the triplets. They were having another baby.
“Well, future Mrs. West,” Tristan said, “shall we go back to the bed-and-breakfast?”
“Let’s go.” Hand in hand, they walked back the way they’d come, already talking about their wedding, about baby names, and about the future. Ria’s heart was so, so full. Everything was as it was meant to be, and the future seemed as wide and as bright as the sparkling, endless ocean beside them.
The End