Page 55 of Beauty and her Billionaire Beast

“I didn’t knock up some random girl I hardly know,” he says,grinning.

“True. What are you gettingat?”

“Well, earlier this week I was at Pops’place sorting through his things, and some stuff from my parents that were up in the attic.” He reaches into his pocket. “I found these,” he tells me, revealing a set of three white gold rings. Two are his-and-hers wedding bands, and the third is a dazzling diamond solitaire engagement ring. I cup my hand over my mouth and shake my head. “Please don’t tell me you’re doing what I think you’redoing.”

“I’m not. Not the way youthink.”

“I don’t getit.”

“These were my grandfather and grandmother’s rings. Pops gave them to me a few weeks after my parents’ plane crash. They were more to hold onto than anything. He told me they were symbols, that even though my grandmother was gone, and her son... my dad... was gone too, the rings would keep every memory of them going,in me. I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep with those three rings hanging off my index finger. They didn’t bring my parents back, but they kept them close, kept me going.” He stops short and turns to face me. “I’m not asking you to marry me yet. Just so we’re clear, it’s not because I don’t want to ask or have any misgivings. I’d get on my knees right now if I believed you’d say yes.So instead, I want you to have these rings. Keep them with you. And when you feel you’re ready, just tell me to get on my knees, and I will.Deal?”

My heart is full and my eyes are filled with tears now. I so love this man. I want to throw out everything I’ve ever said about waiting and tell him yes right thissecond.

“Deal,” I say through a whimper, taking the rings in my hand.“What if I want you to get on your knees for anotherreason?”

He groans out a laugh. “Good point, but I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it crystal clear which reason you’re askingfor.”

“Unless you ask me rightnow.”

“What?”

I lift my left hand toward him. “What if I said yes? Like rightnow?”

“Don’t joke around with something this important, gorgeous. I’llput you over my knee if you’re messing with myhead.”

“Are you going to grow a pair and ask me, or are you just gonna stand there promising to spankme?”

“Does it have to be one or theother?”

I open my mouth to give him hell and he holds the engagement ring out toward me. My laughter turns to happy, happy tears when he gets down on one knee. “Isabelle, you’re my best friend.You’ve already been there for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. You celebrated me at my best and forgave me when I was at my worst. To me, that’s the true test of love. Yes, I love you, beautiful girl. I fucking love you. I want our baby to grow up knowing how much his or her old man cherishes their mother. I want them to know that we’ll be there to hold each other’s hand right tothe end. Belle Harrison, will you marryme?”

I’m so overcome that all I can do is nod as he slides the ring onto my ring finger. He stands and pulls me into hisarms.

“Yes, Knox,” I sob into his chest. “I love you so much. I’ll marryyou.”

We stand there, my head buried in his chest, his arms wrapped around me, and our baby tucked in between us. Just like it shouldbe.

No matter what tomorrow brings us, we’re going to be in ittogether.

THEEND