Chapter 16

Sixteen

I turn awayfrom the ocean to look at Knox and find him on one knee behind me. "Oh, Knox." Immediately, the tears start to flow. I thought this might be happening soon, but I couldn't imagine I would feel this happy. Waves of happiness, like the ones in the ocean behind us, rush through me at the sight of the man I've loved for most of my life kneeling before me.

"Scarlett, I know that getting to this moment hasn't been easy for us. I know the path ahead won't always be smooth, but I wouldn't want to walk it with anyone else. You are the reason I am who I am today and the reason I will always strive to be a better man. I love you more than I ever thought possible. I want a life with you bursting with babies and fun and love. So, I want to ask you. Will you be my wife and hold my hand forever?"

I motion for him to stand up, while nodding my head. "Knox, I love you so much. You are already the best man, and our children are going to be so lucky to have you as their father. I can't wait to share every moment of forever with you. Yes, yes, yes! I will be your wife and hold your hand forever."

He puts the ring on my finger and kisses it so gently it makes me start to cry again. "I love you, baby."

"I love you, Knox."

We stand, holding each other's hands, for a long time. Just watching the waves and enjoying the moment.

"Do you want to call your family and tell them?" I ask him. I know how important they are to him and they're becoming important to me. His mother and I are slowly mending our relationship. Our love for Knox more important than anything that happened in the past.

"We don't have to, but if you want to, they were all going to be at Mom and Dad's, just in case."

Laughing, I grab his phone out of his pocket. "I don't want to get in trouble my first day as the new daughter-in-law to be."

He video calls his mom's phone, and she answers as soon as the call goes through. "Did she say yes?"

"I sure did." I flash my beautiful engagement ring for the camera. It's unique, an emerald center stone with diamonds along the band. Different than the average ring and just what I would pick for myself. "Isn't it gorgeous?"

Cheers erupt on the other side of the video. I can see them all and they look genuinely happy for us. It's hard to believe after all this time that everything has turned out this way, but love has a funny way of working out in the end.

We hang up from the family and fall into each other's arms. He slants his mouth over mine and begins kissing me as if he will never stop.

I pull away from his lips and whisper, "I want to make love to my fiancé."

He sweeps me up in his arms and carries me through the bungalow to the bedroom. It's beautiful the room is windows on two sides, they're open and the breeze off the ocean is flowing through. Knox places me on the bed and lays next to me.

"This is amazing." I run my hands through his hair and smile.

"The room, the bed, or being engaged?" he asks.

"Um, I'm not sure which is the best," I tease as I start to unbutton his shirt. "This room is very nice. And the bedding is very soft, and I really like the color." Knox growls. "Being engaged is amazing too. I can touch this sexy, remarkable man whenever I want, and I got this really pretty ring."

Knox kisses my neck and runs his hands down body. "So, which is your favorite, baby?"

"You, Knox, you're my favorite everything."

The rest of our day is spent celebrating each other and this new step on our journey. We have made our way through so much and still found our way back to each other. We've learned to communicate and built a relationship based on trust and respect.

As we fall asleep, listening to the sounds of the ocean through the open windows, I turn to Knox. "I'm so glad I moved home."

Life is hard.

Love is hard.

But with the right person it's worth everything.