Kellan handed the microphone to my mother who held it up to his face as he took one of my hands in his and helped me up to my feet. His lips delivered a soft kiss to the back of my hand as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box. Tears flooded my eyes as my gaze shifted from the object in his hand to the handsome face I had loved for most of my life.
“Amelia Blackwell, you have made me want to be a better man,” he cooed as tears pooled in his eyes as well. “I know for a fact that I don’t deserve you, but I love you more than I could have ever imagined loving another person. I want the chance to spend the rest of my life trying to not deserve you a little less.” With watery and amazed eyes, I watched as Kellan Shepard dropped to one knee in front of me and said, “Will you marry me?”
It was an odd moment. Dreams weren’t meant to come true, but somehow mine did, and the reality far exceeded them. Beside me, I could hear my mother sniffing and my dad breathing heavy the way he did when he was really anxious. Knowing we had not only their blessing but also their excitement, made my heart—and my tears—overflow.
“Yes,” I said breathlessly with a vigorous nod.
“Yeah?” he confirmed.
I laughed as I pulled him to his feet and into my arms. “Hell, yes.”
People around us cheered and clapped as Kellan slipped the gorgeous ring on my finger and kissed my lips.
“I love you, future Mrs. Shepard,” Kellan whispered against my mouth, his strong arms wrapped tightly around me.
I giggled and kissed him again. “I’ve always loved you, Mr. Shepard. And I’m sure that I always will.”
THE END