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Priest sighed. "Gioia,you don't sound stupid," he assured her. "I just don't see me planning to bring a child into this world. If we have one on a whim, then that's understandable, but I don't want to set any expectations for you or myself. Children just aren't a goal for me. I'm fully content with being with you for the rest of my life without you bearing any kids."

Britain pursed her lips. It was evident that his truth wasn't what she wanted to hear. Instead of showcasing her grave disappointment, she simply nodded her head with a tight-lipped smile masking her face. "Okay then," she said, hoping to dismiss the conversation entirely.

"Gioia, I'm sorry if that isn't what you wanted to hear," he apologized.

Britain shook her head. "No, it's fine," she assured him. "Some people are just different." As nonchalant she seemed at the moment, Britain was drowning in confusion. Despite the horrific stillbirth she experienced with Dreux, Britain was open to having children again. She was in a much better mental state and situation. Her maternal instincts kicked in as soon as she had Dreux, and despite her daughter not being alive, those instincts never seemed to have left.

Priest pursed his lips. He was hoping that the topic of children hadn't ruined their outing. He wanted to make her swoon and feel like she was on top of the world. Unfortunately, now all they were left with was an awkward tension-filled silence due to being on opposing ends of the decision to have children. Luckily for them, the yacht had successfully reached the docking destination. A heavy breath of nervousness slipped out of Priest as he peered down at Britain. She looked a bit discouraged. He was really depending on this final part of the date to return her infectious smile to her face.

"Where are we?" she asked him, brewing in curiosity once she realized they weren't docked where they began. After over an hour of sailing, they arrived at the other side of the island. This side of the island was far less residential and served the sole purpose of providing gorgeous natural landmarks.

With the yacht now docked, Priest had a smile etched on his face, which only made Britain all the more suspicious. "You trust me?" he questioned.

Britain groaned lightly, knowing that he planned to kill her with suspense. "Yes, P. I trust you," she clarified as her hand clung to his.

Satisfied with her response, he craned down to peck her lips. He aided her with stepping off the yacht and onto the pier. Thesun was just beginning to set, so the clear skies were painted with ombré hints of pink, a tranquil blue, and an alluring yellow. The smell of the fresh water still danced within Britain's nostrils, keeping her in a state of relaxation.

She was a bit anxious about what Priest had in store for her, so her eyes were darting around in hopes of catching a hint of anything. An amused chuckle rolled out of him. As much as she hated surprises, she seemed to always make giving them to her worthwhile. She was just so difficult and inquisitive that seeing her squirm from being unaware of things was hilarious to him.

As they continued to walk the pier, Britain's mouth fell agape in shock. Not far from where they stood was a trail of roses that streamed to the end of the pier as candles flickered a pathway for the two. He wanted tonight to be special, so he pulled another crazy stunt. He had turned the pier into a romantic setting just for her. Her favorite ruby red roses littered the ground beneath them. On the pier were a few of the live musicians she adored when she and Priest visited The Central. He made arrangements for the musicians to serenade her with their loud hand drums and colorful coordinated dances.

The female dancers dressed in whimsical red gowns twirled over toward them, extending their hands out for Britain to take. Priest handed Britain over, allowing the dancers to flower Britain with multiple leis around her neck as they kept up with the upbeat tempo of the drums. She laughed in pure jubilation and excitement as she and Priest watched the ladies dance.Everything had come together so nicely, allowing him to breathe a bit. Scrambling to put his extravagant ideas together last minute was extremely stressful, but with his connections and means, nothing was impossible, especially for Britain. He watched as the dancers twirled Britain around, making her release childlike giggles of excitement. She was loving everysecond of this, from the music to the dancers, all the way down to the flowers. Priest had really outdone himself.

Still dancing to the music, the ladies ushered Britain back over to Priest. Britain couldn't contain herself, so she rocked her hips to the upbeat sounds of the drums, causing Priest to laugh. He was no dancer, so he didn't move a muscle, but he didn't ruin Britain's fun either. "You enjoying yourself?" he leaned down and asked into her ear so she could hear him over the live music.

Britain twirled around, still dancing along to the music. "Yes, P! I love it! Thank you!" she expressed her gratitude with a beaming smile on her face.

"I got another surprise for you," he told her with a smirk.

Britain furrowed her brows in confusion, wondering how else he could top the night off. He had already drowned her in roses twice, given her a divine meal, sailed her across the island, and gifted her live music and dancers. What more did she need?

Distracted by Priest and the music, Britain hadn't even realized the massive letters decorated in white and red blossoming roses aligned next to each other. He turned her around a bit, causing her to immediately lose the rhythm of the music as her jaw dropped in shock.Before she could offer him any words, she watched as he dropped to one knee right before her with a small box in hand.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

The floral letters spelled it out.

As requested, the musicians slowed down the music, falling into a slow and romantic ballad. She deserved every extravagant trick he could pull out of his hat. She had witnessed and walked him through every hardship his life and upbringing threw at him. She was deserving of a decent proposal instead of the half-ass one he had given her in New York.

"Britain—" Priest began only for her to eagerly interrupt him.

"Yes, Priest! I already said yes!" she blurted out absentmindedly and oblivious to the fact that he had prepared a confession of his love for her.

Priest laughed as he took Britain's left hand, which was already decorated with the massive ring he had given her in New York. "I know,Gioia,but I wanted to do it big for you. You deserve that much," he professed as he smiled up at her, still on one knee.Unable to take the smile off her face, she nodded her head, indicating that he could proceed.

"It's not often I lay my feelings out for you, so I'm gonna try my best here," he cleared his throat, hoping to rid himself of the nerves that were beginning to creep up on him. "Britain Dulce Demings, you have been the greatest joy in my life since I met you. You are the first person that I have ever loved the right way without ever wronging you in the process. You have shaped me into the man I've always wanted to be, and for that I will forever be indebted to you. My love for you is infinite, and although that scares the fuck out of me, it's impossible for me to stop loving you.

“Britain, you embody the essence of perfection and grace. From the way you carry yourself through life down to how passionate and attentive you are to me. I am honored to wake up to you every morning and sleep next to you every night. I am honored to be the catalyst for your laughter and sometimes stress. I am honored to be the one you chose to love wholeheartedly despite the doubts and the odds being against us."

Dabbing underneath her eyes, Britain tried her best to keep her tears from staining her gorgeous makeup. Priest was pulling on every string of her heart as he professed his undying love for her.

"I just want to keep all my promises to you and introduce you to the joys of life," he spoke to her with so much conviction ashis once dark orbs filled with light and love. "So, will you, Britain Dulce Demings, marry me, a wild nigga from Harlem who didn't have proper guidance until I met you?" he jested in an effort to draw some laughter out of her so she wouldn't ruin her makeup with tears.

"Awe, Kanaz," she cooed as she patted her face dry of the tears that managed to slip from her eyes. "Yes, I’ll marry you!" She grinned excitedly.

Hearing her properly accept his proposal brought a sense of relief over him. Even though she had already said yes back in New York, he was glad that he could surprise her the way he had tonight. Rising from his position on one knee, he wrapped his arm around her, lifting her from the ground.

"You got me another ring?" Britain laughed once Priest sat her down.