"How's he doing today, Mom?" Alex asked.
"He's doing good. Look at his cheeks. Being home is bringing the color back into them. I know he's on his way back," she replied with confidence.
"He'll come back because we need him to," Emily said with a hopeful smile.
"I can't remember where I left off."
"He'd tricked you into coming to his place. He was showing you the castle he was building just for you," Bree said with a sigh. "So romantic."
"Yes, that's right. I gave up fighting him. I knew when I left that night, I'd never be the same again, but I didn't care anymore. One minute with him was better than none. I was so tired of hurting, aching. But I knew that hurting was nothing compared to how I was going to feel once he was done with me. But still, I couldn't refuse him anymore … "
Joseph lifted his head, his darkened eyes looking into her own frightened ones. The power he wielded over her was too great. She also knew she was powerless to stop it.
"I do want you in my bed, but that's not all. This is for you. Since meeting you, everything I do is about you, Katherine. I can't live without you," he murmured.
Katherine was confused as she looked at him. He'd won. She was giving herself over to him, so why was he still talking? She couldn't seem to grasp his words.
Her heart nearly burst when he dropped to his knee's on the gently blowing grass. His eyes filled as he looked in her eyes.
"I've done a lot wrong where you're concerned, Katherine. Before you, there's never been a woman I wanted to be with night and day. Never before have I thought of one person so often, I can't think of anyone or anything else. Yes, I want you in my bed, and by my side, but not for a cheap affair. I'd never dishonor you that way. I want you as my equal partner. I want to give you everything your heart desires. I want to watch your stomach grow round with my children. I want to hold you when we're seventy-five and do nothing more than watch a sunset together off the balcony of our home that I'm building for you. Please make me complete, Katherine. Please be my wife," he said as a tear fell.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out an exquisite diamond ring, his fingers trembling slightly as he knelt before her, baring his soul.
Katherine dropped down next to him, her legs no longer able to support her, her arms needing to be around him.
She reached up and slowly wiped the tear from his cheek, awed that such a strong man was willing to make himself so vulnerable in front of her. How wrong she'd been. How many years she'd wasted. How many pointless tears she'd cried. She leaned forward and kissed him. A kiss filled with all the love she had for her larger than life man.
"Yes."
She didn't need to say any more than that simple word. She'd decided to give him anything he wanted, and she was so grateful he wanted it all.
Joseph's smile lit up his face. He slipped the ring on her finger, a perfect fit, and then his arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against him. Neither of them said anything as she rested her head against his chest.
After minutes, or maybe hours, passed, he finally pulled back. He kissed her once more, then stood, pulling her up next to him as he wrapped his arm around her.
"Come. Let me show you your palace."
Joseph took her hand and led her to the house. He stepped through an unfinished doorway and walked inside as she looked around in wonder.
"I can see it all, Katherine. I can see the finished house. It will be beautiful. I can already picture our children running through these halls," he said with excitement. His enthusiasm quickly drawing her in.
"Thank you, Joseph," she whispered in awe.
"No, it's you I need to thank. I've been lost for a long time, but you've changed me. You made me realize I didn't need to settle. I can have it all. Because of you, George and I spoke, really spoke for the first time in years. I knew I couldn't waste any more time on misunderstandings. I knew I couldn't hold onto the past. He felt the same way. It's all because of you. You wouldn't allow me to be half a man anymore."
"Oh, Joseph, I don't understand how I did it, but I'm so glad," she said, fresh tears springing to her eyes.
"He loves you almost as much as I do," he said with a chuckle. You did it by refusing to accept anything less than what you deserve. You did it by being yourself.
"I just wanted your love. I'm so sorry I fought so hard- wasted all this time," she said.
"We won't waste even a moment more. I'll give you any wedding you want, but please marry me quickly. I don't want to spend even one more night without you," he begged.
"Yes, Joseph, yes. I don't need anything fancy. I just need you," she said, meaning her words.