All Good Things Exposed(76)

My heart stopped. Oh. My. God.

"Olivia," Jace began, ignoring the collective gasp from the women and the 'holy shit' from the men. As soon as it grew stiflingly quiet again, he continued. I could swear my heart could be heard a mile away. His thumb ran over the hand he held, my left hand, as he took in a deep breath, his piercing blue eyes on mine. "I knew it from the moment I first saw you - you were the one for me. I fought it at first, but it didn't stop the inevitable. I love you with my entire heart. I need you with all my soul. In all the darkness I'd built around my life, you shone through. You touched a place in me I didn't even know existed. You breathed life back into my soul and found a way to shatter my defenses. There is nothing this world can throw at me that I can't face with you by my side. There is nothing I'm not strong enough to build, so long as I'm building toward a future with you. There is no nightmare I can't face so long as I'm waking to your face each morning. I love you with every fiber of my being and I will continue loving you for the rest of eternity." He reached into his pocket with his free hand, produced a ring and slipped it onto my finger. "Marry me." This was not a question. It was a command I would forever be happy to oblige.

With tears streaming down my face and a giggle erupting from my mouth, I dove at him to hug him. Tight. He fell back on his butt, wrapping me in his arms as I kissed him hard. Jace kissed me back for a moment before pulling away.

"Angel, say yes." He commanded. As the silence grew heavy, I realized I hadn't said yes.

"Yes." I laughed. "Yes a thousand times! Yes!"

Jace crushed his lips against mine as the room erupted in high-pitched cheers and laughter. His hands weaved into my hair and he held me tighter to him as I pressed my body closer to his.

Caleb was the first to speak. "Save some for the honeymoon."

Jace grinned. "There'll be plenty for the honeymoon."

"Eww," Jaylah scrunched her nose playfully before she dove for my hand. "Let me see that thing!"

"Oh, me too." Trisha and Jaylah pried me from Jace, picking me up off the floor. He happily let go of me, allowing me to show off the ring on my hand. It was perfect. There was only one diamond sitting on a thin platinum band. It wasn't too large and it wasn't too small. There was nothing gaudy about the ring. It was classy.

"It's beautiful!" Jaylah oohed.

Trisha took my hand in hers, staring at the ring with misted eyes. "It's so…you." She looked up at Jace. "You did good."

"So," he shifted almost awkwardly. "I have your blessing then?"

Trisha started, staring at him with wide eyes. "My blessing?"

"Well," he ran a hand through his hair. "You're all the family she has."

Trisha nodded as though honored. "I am." She beamed. "You have my blessing." She focused her eyes on me. "You better not plan on making me walk you down the aisle, because I totally have a vision of taking on the roll of maid of honor."

I laughed. "No. No plans yet." I flashed my ring. "This only just happened." I looked to Jace, shooting him a sheepish smile. It was a lie. A white lie. Although I hadn't expected this…beautiful engagement - technically, we were already engaged. He asked yesterday.

"I don't care if it just happened." Trisha started. "You should know who your maid of honor is!"

Oh, I knew who it would be. It would most definitely be her. But, I could make her sweat. Trisha pouted, obviously oblivious to my eye roll as her lip hung. She folded her arms and plopped onto the couch, wallowing for her official title. I laughed as Karen pulled me into her arms. She hugged me tight, tears streaming down her eyes.

"I never thought I'd see the day my son proposed." Her voice shook. "I never thought I would ever see him on his knees. But you do that to him. You bring my beautiful, magnificent son to his knees. He loves you so much. I'm so happy he found you."

Her words sparked a torrent of tears I knew would ruin my mascara. But for once I didn't mind. They were happy tears. I was so completely and deliriously happy. And it was all because of the obsessive, neurotic, possessive man who stood with the silly smile and sparkling blue eyes. I cannot imagine my life without him. It's simply unfathomable.

As though he knew I yearned for his arms around me, Jace pulled away from the group of men congratulating him with manly slaps on the shoulder. He closed the distance between us, pulling me into his arms. I sighed a breath of release. As I nuzzled into his chest, I couldn't help but think this is my most favorite place in the entire world. There is no safer place than Jace's arms. There is no warmer place. In his arms, I am surrounded by everything dreams are made of.