“Meg, I never thought I’d see this day. I never even dreamed about a time when this day would be possible.” I took a deep breath. “I’ve made so many mistakes in my life. I was in a dark, dark place for so many years. I never believed in love. Never wanted it. I was fine being the man who screwed and made money.”
“I see.” She looked away from me, and I fell to the ground and grabbed her hands.
“No. No you don’t. When I met you, I felt like something in the earth shifted. It was like my whole life had been building up to that moment. You were like the catalyst to something good. I fought it so hard, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed you. I craved you. I wanted your smile, your body, your wit. I wanted to be around you, needed to see you. I couldn’t function without you. You came into my life and brought sunshine that had long been gone from my world. Quite simply, you put the beat back into my heart. Meg, I do have one more secret from you. It’s the biggest secret I’ve ever had to keep. It’s one I want to tell you about now. I’m done keeping it a secret. I don’t care about the timing or the circumstances.”
“What is it, Greyson?” Her eyes were wide with unshed tears.
“I bought this for you.” I pulled a small box out of my pocket. I’d been carrying it around with me for the last week, scared that if I put it anywhere else, I’d lose it. “I was going to wait until the right time. I wanted the moment to be perfect, but I don’t want to keep anything from you. I love you, Meg. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
“Oh, Greyson!” she gasped and sat up, staring at the ring. “Oh my God.”
“I wanted to do it now.” I stared into her eyes. “I want you to know that I want to marry you because I love you, not just because you’re pregnant with my baby.”
“You’re sure it’s yours?” She laughed and then groaned. “Sorry. Bad joke.”
“Will you marry me, Meg?” I ran my fingers down her face, and she started laughing.
“Oh my gosh, of course.” She sat up and kissed me hard. “Of course I’ll marry you, Greyson. I love you more than life itself. I want to spend my life with you. I love you so much.”
I slipped the ring onto her finger and held her to me tightly. I could barely believe that I’d gotten so lucky. I could barely believe that I was going to have a family. A real family.
“I’m so sorry for the nightmare, Meg. I’m sorry about all the craziness.”
“That’s okay,” she whispered against my lips. “We have each other now and that’s the most important thing.”
Chapter 17
Brandon
Two Weeks Later
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a bridesmaid.” Nancy giggled and twirled around in her dress.
“You look pretty.” Harry giggled as well as he twirled with her. “You look as pretty as Mommy.”
“Thank you, Harry.” She stopped twirling, picked him up, and hugged him.
“Ugh, stop it.” He giggled and pushed away from her. “No more kisses.”
“You don’t like getting kisses from your big sister?” She laughed and let him down.
“You kiss me more than mommy does.” He made a face, and I laughed.
“Harry, let your sister enjoy her kisses.” I grinned at him and rubbed the top of his head. “She’ll be off to college soon and you’ll be wishing she were here to play you.”
“I don’t want her to go to college,” he pouted and grabbed on to her leg. “Don’t leave me, Nancy.”
“You know I won’t leave you.” She kissed the top of his head, and I felt my heart swell with happiness. It felt so wonderful to see my two children together, loving each other so warmly already.
“Where’s Mommy?” Harry pulled away and ran to the couch. “I’m hungry.”
“She went with Auntie Meg to go and see the doctor.” Nancy went and sat next to him. “They’ve gone to check on the baby.”
“Oh, with Uncle Greyson?” He turned on the TV.
“Yeah,” she answered. “Auntie Meg said she wanted both of them to be there.”
“What about me?” He changed the channels. “Didn’t she want me there?”
“You don’t need to be in everything, Harry.” I gave him a look. “You know you don’t like doctors’ offices.”
“I don’t like them at all,” he groaned. “Yay, Sponge-Bob!” He turned the volume up. “Will Mommy let me come and see the baby when she has one?”