From Bully To Beloved

“Cal!” I squeak in surprise, holding onto him for dear life. “You shouldn’t lift a pregnant woman.”

“Look, I never got to carry you over the threshold. I’m entitled to do it at least once. Today is a special day.”

Laughing, we enter the suite, and he nudges the door closed behind us. I’m already kicking off my shoes when Coltonputs me back on my feet.

“Wait,” he says, “before we do anything else, I have a surprise for you.”

He moves to his overnight bag, which is already sitting in the corner of the room. After rustling for a moment, he returns holding a stack of papers.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“It was months ago, but remember when I told Vance to draw up divorce papers? I’ve been hanging on to them for a while. I remembered you saying that I tend to decide things for you and so, I want to give you a chance to decide on your own.”

“Ooo-kay?” Where is he going with this?

He gets down on one knee. “Sera, will you considernotdivorcing me?”

He’s grinning, and I know all of this is meant as a joke. He obviously knows that I have no intention of breaking things off. I laugh and take the papers.

“Yes, I will stay married to you.” It takes me a second to realize the packet is thick. “Wow, divorce papers are hefty nowadays.” I start to flip through them, but immediately stop.

These aren’t divorce papers. There’s nothing even on these papers. The middle of the stack has been hollowed out. Two rings sit innocently in the space. A golden band, and a ring with the biggest damn diamond I have ever seen in my life.

I look down at Cal, and he’s still grinning.

“Gotcha.”

Tears start streaming down my face. “Cal…”

He takes the rings and tosses the papers aside. First, he slips the diamond on, then the wedding band. “I figured it was about time to make it official.”

“But what about…?”

Wordlessly, he pulls a matching band out of his jeans pocket. “Do you want to do the honors?”This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

With shaking hands, I slide the band onto his left ring finger while he gets to his feet. I’m overcome with emotion.

How could I have gotten so lucky with this incredible man?

He’s everything I could ever have asked for in a partner. He loves me, wants me to succeed, and is proud of everything I do.

“I love you,” I tell him. “Somuch. Always. Forever.”

A mischievous expression appears on his face. “Did you just confess your never-ending love to me?”

“I did…smartass.”

“Love you too, Nosy Sera.”

I giggle. “Always and forever?”

“Always and forever.”

Coltongathers me in his arms, and we kiss and kiss and kiss.

And then my water breaks.