Page 72 of Ever After

Finley is tracing a finger along her stomach, speaking quiet, soothing words to her slowly growing bump. I look at my beautiful angel sprawled out on the bed for me.

After everything the two of us went through together, I knew I wanted to keep her for the rest of my life. We’ve had our ups and downs, including her having to face some of the men at the auction head on in court. The looks they gave her as their eyes roamed her form made me want to kill them all. Thank God, Shaw and Winston were there to keep me from ripping their heads off.

I walk over to her and gently wipe her thighs and sensitive center, listening to her lyrical voice as she speaks, then toss the washcloth in the corner hamper.

“What do you think we’re having? A boy or a girl?” I ask, lying down next to her.

“I think it’s a boy. I hope he has your eyes and smile. What do you think?” she asks, yawning.

“It’d better be a boy. If it’s a girl, I’ll have to beat off all the boys in town. She’ll be beautiful, just like her mom.”It’s now or never.I take a deep breath, my face turning serious. “Finley, I have something I want to talk to you about.”

She sits up and crosses her legs, worry etched on her features. I sit up and take her face in my hands, kissing her lips, trying to erase the fear I see swimming in the depths of her eyes.

“Since the first time I had you, I knew I never wanted to give you up. I knew I would fight to keep you safe. I want to be the person you seek for comfort, and I don’t want our baby born out of wedlock.”

Her eyes light up, and a smile spreads across her face. She knows what I’m about to ask, and she patiently waits for me to get the words out of my mouth.

I climb off the bed and reach into my nightstand drawer, pulling out a small black box. Dropping down on one knee, I open the box and gaze directly into her beautiful gray eyes. “Finley Marie Grier, will you make me the happiest man and marry me?”

She jumps off the bed and sinks down onto the floor next to me. “Yes! Yes! Of course, I will!” She holds out her hand, and I slip the beautiful solitaire princess cut, platinum ring on her finger. She pulls my face to hers for a long, passionate kiss.

She pokes me in the chest, a huge smile on her face. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, mister.”

“I’ve been into you for so long, Finley, I can’t imagine my life without you.”

The End