Page 71 of Dante

“Da red one is for Daddy. Da opal one is mine and blue one is yours,” Noah happily informed, touching each stone as he talked. They were a blessed American family and had the birthstones to prove it. “Okay. Now it’s Daddy’s turn.”

Amanda turned her attention to the gorgeous man, and the adoration blazing in his eyes caused a tremor to ripple through her.

He grasped her left hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her bare ring finger. “I love you, Amanda. You’ve enriched our lives so much. I can’t imagine a day without you. Will you marry me and share our lives?”

She sniffed and swallowed a few times, trying to find her voice. “Yes,” she finally managed to whisper. Then she cleared her throat again. “I love you too, Dante. You put the beat in my heart and Noah is the song.”

He inhaled and took the ring out of the box and slowly slid it on her left hand, then he brought them to their feet and kissed her lips, softly, deeply…just right.

Cheers erupted around them, and the crowd rushed forward. Dante broke the kiss and lifted Noah up then he slid his other arm around her, and together, the three of them welcomed the congratulations.

A little while later, Amanda stood in the circle of Dante’s arms, basking in the love and strength surrounding her, as their family and friends mingled and laughed, and the kids happily played nearby.

“See, Noah?” Dillan grinned. “I told you the beds work.”