Page 168 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“Come here, and I’ll tell you,” Harry said.

“This is so freaking exciting,” Sam whispered to Nick.

Nick put his arm around her as they watched Harry hold out a hand to Lilia.

“Lilia, my sweet love, you’ve changed my entire life since we met by chance in Sam’s office at the police department, and I’ll be forever thankful to her for bringing you to me. For so long, I’d been searching for something, and I had no idea what it was until I had you and realized I’d been looking for you.”

He dropped to one knee as Lilia contended with a flood of tears. “Will you please marry me and make everything even more perfect than it’s been since the day I met you?”

“Yes.” Lilia covered her heart as tears fell from her eyes. “God, yes.”

Harry rose to his feet to kiss and hug her before sliding a ring on her finger while everyone else exploded in applause.

Sam wiped away her own tears as she clapped and whistled as loudly as she could for two of her favorite people. She’d wanted this for Harry for as long as she’d known him, and Lilia was simply the best. She’d done some good work with those two, if she said so herself. “That was perfect.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” Nick said.

They went to congratulate the happy couple with hugs and more champagne.

“Did you know about this?” Lilia asked Sam, who’d never seen her friend look happier.

“I might’ve heard a rumbling or two. I’m so happy for you guys. He’s the best of the best, and so are you.”

“Thank you for introducing us. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”

Sam glanced at Nick, who had one of his five-year-old brothers on his shoulders as he talked to his dad, Leo, and stepmother, Stacy. “There’s nothing better than seeing two great people who deserve all good things finding each other in this crazy world.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” Lilia said. “Best night of my life.”

Then Sam got to hug Jon Bon Jovi, which made her year and her Christmas. “Thank you so much for taking time away from your own family to be here.”

“It’s a tremendous honor to perform for you guys,” he said. “We wish you all the best during your stay in the White House.”

Nick shook his hand and thanked him for coming.

“When the president calls and asks for a favor that’ll earn him a year’s worth of points with the first lady, I couldn’t say no to that.”

Sam and Nick laughed and walked him out to fly home to New Jersey to join his own family for the holidays.

As they returned to the East Room, where the party had moved for dancing, Jeannie asked for a moment with Sam.

“I’ll be right in,” she told Nick.

“I won’t keep her too long,” Jeannie said.

“Take your time, ladies,” Nick said as he walked away.

“You two look beautiful tonight,” Jeannie said.

“So do you. You’re positively glowing in that gown.” Jeannie’s dress was a midnight blue with the faintest hint of sparkle.

“The glow is because of one of the things I wanted to tell you.” She paused before she said, “I’m pregnant.”

Sam hugged her friend and colleague. “That’s wonderful, Jeannie. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and Michael.”

“Thank you. I was almost afraid to tell you…”

“Please don’t feel that way. I have what I need with Nick and the kids. My life is very complete. Things don’t always happen the way you plan, but they work out the way they’re meant to.”