Page 148 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

He smiled.“Want me to go and make us some coffee?”

Her arm tightened around his waist.“No.I want to keep you here — you make a good pillow.And honestly?”She opened one eye.“I want to keep you all to myself.When you get up you’ll start taking care of everyone, and we’ll all have to go over what exactly happened last night.And then we won’t get a moment alone together today and…” She gave him a sleepy smile.“I don’t mean to be selfish, but I want you to myself.You see, Jack, I love you.”

A rush of warmth filled his chest.“I love you, too, honey.And it’s not selfish.Although…” A smile spread across his face.“How long do you want to keep me for?”

She opened both eyes and raised her eyebrows.“Do you mean in bed or in general?In fact, never mind — the answer’s the same either way.I want to keep you forever.”

“Forever and ever?”

She gave him a puzzled smile.“Yes, and always if that helps make it any clearer.”

He chuckled.“It does.I think the word to sum it all up would be for eternity, right?”

“I guess so, but…”

“Hold that thought.”He slipped out of bed and grabbed the pants he’d been wearing last night.

He’d wanted to give her the ring when they got home, but it had taken a while to get Jim and Harper settled into guest rooms.Then Cash had come over to check on them all and decided that he’d stay the night, too, to be around in case Jim wanted him.By the time Trip and Shelley had finally come to bed, she’d come down from the adrenaline rush and just wanted sleep.

He grabbed the ring box and flipped it open, smiling when the diamonds sparkled encouragingly at him.

“What are you up to?”

He turned around, keeping the ring behind his back as he climbed back into bed.

“I got you something.I’ve been trying to figure out the best time to give it to you, and this feels like it.”

She smiled like an eager little kid and held her hand out.“What is it?Can I have it?”

He took a slow, deep breath and caught hold of her hand.“You can have it if you want it, but first I have to ask you: Shelley, will you—?”

She pulled her hand back.“I love you, Trip.You know I do, but I don’t want to…”

He smiled.“It’s okay.You don’t want to marry me, do you?”

She shook her head, her eyes huge.“I don’t — do you… is that even?”

“No.I decided years ago that I never wanted to get married again.”

She visibly relaxed as he continued.

“And then I met you.”He leaned in to kiss her — gently, softly — before lifting his head.“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Shelley.I’m hoping that you feel the same way with me, and that’s why…” He held up the ring box.

Her hand came up to cover her mouth.“Trip!It’s beautiful!”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

She made a face.

“It’s an eternity ring — and that’s what I’m asking you for, honey.Do you want to spend the rest of eternity with me?”

She flung her arms around his neck.“I do — at least, as much of it as I get a say over.”

“That’ll do for me.I don’t know how the afterlife works, but I reckon if we put in a request for eternity now, it should get taken into consideration.”

He slid the ring onto her finger and loved the huge smile on her face as she looked down at it.

“It’s gorgeous, Trip.Thank you.”