“So I was right? You did hate me?”

“Hey, you didn’t like me either,” he reminds me. “It took you a while to warm up to me as well. Don’t forget that! But look where we are now. Everything changed for the better, didn’t it? We got over our initial judgments of one another.”

I nod as tears build up in my eyes. This is so unexpected, and of course, my hormones are all over the place, so I’m instantly a mess.

“There is actually something I want to give to you.”

Alex nods behind me, and I turn to see Sara there, offering me a slice of chocolate cake. But not just any chocolate cake, this one has got a gorgeous diamond ring sticking out of it. My eyes damn near pop out of my head as I stare at it.

Is this really happening?

I thought that this was going to be a party; I didn’t realize that it was going to bethis.

“Alex, what is happening?” I gush as I clap my hands to my mouth in shock. “Wow, this is…”

The next time I catch his eyes, he’s down on one knee in front of me. This is the best way this could have happened for me—low-key, romantic, and very personal. Alex really gets me, more than anyone else ever has.

“Riley Anderson, I love you,” he starts with a thick warmth in his voice, making me melt. “I love you so much, you have no idea. Maybe things were rocky when you first came into my life, and it took us a little while to get to where we are, but I couldn’t imagine life without you now. I don’t want to go a day without you and our baby in it. All I want is to scream about our love from the rooftops, and to finally make this official. So, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me and be my wife?”

The tears are streaming down my face as I nod. I really wasn’t expecting this, but it feels wonderful. This has been one of the best days of my life. I have a fantastic job, my baby is healthy and growing well, and now I’m an engaged woman, ready to marry the man of my dreams.

Who would have thought when Alex and I got stuck in that elevator that we would end up getting married and spending the rest of our lives together? I certainly didn’t, but Ilovethe way that everything has turned out. This is incredible.

Sara hugs me as soon as the chocolate cake-covered ring is on my finger, and we immediately squeal with joy. Alex embraces us both, which makes me chuckle with excitement.

This is the first day of the rest of my life, and I can’t wait to see how everything pans out.

***

One year later…

“You look like a princess,” Sara gushes as she watches me spin around in my ivory gown. “Wow, you are incredible. Alex is so lucky.”

I giggle as heat burns in my cheeks. “You think so? I hope so. I do love this dress…”

“Yes, you look amazing.”

I didn’t even know that Mom was in the room until she started talking, but I’m so glad to see her. She has my darling baby in her arms, and I can’t get enough of looking at her. I thought I knew what love was with Alex, but the love I’ve felt for our child ever since she’s been born has blown me away. It’s boundless and the warmest feeling in the world.

“There’s your super successful journalist mommy,” Mom whispers to Gwen. It’s funny how she does this, talking like I’m the superstar of the family when it’s obviously Alex. He’s been playing better than ever, and his career has gone from strength to strength over the last year. “Oh, Riley, your dad would be so proud to see you like this.”

She can mention Dad a little easier now, and it’s nice for me to hear her talk about him. I didn’t realize quite how much pressure I had on my shoulders with regard to my father. Trying to follow in his footsteps for something that I didn’t have nearly enough passion for—which I can now see in my new job—was never going to happen.

I’m a lot more settled now, and I feel a lot more likeme.

“Are you ready?” Mom asks me as she runs her eyes all over my dress. “Because you have a very handsome groom out there waiting for you.”

As I peer through the window to our yard, which has been decorated into a beautiful wedding scene with a giant flower archway and everything, I see him. There he is, the man I am about to commit to forever.

God, he’s gorgeous.

I am the luckiest woman alive.

“Yes,” I reach out to my bridesmaid. “Are you going to walk me down, Sara?”

Mom goes first, then we follow. My heart races with excitement as we descend the stairs and head outside. The warmth of the sunshine beams down on my shoulders making today feel so much better.

The music begins playing, and Alex turns around to catch my eye. He watches me walk down the aisle with tears of joy filling his eyes. I can’t believe we’re here, parents, about to be husband and wife, about to live the rest of our lives together. It’s thrilling.

“Wow,” Alex whispers as soon as I’m close enough to hear him. He reaches out and grabs my hand before pulling me closer to him. “You are stunning. I love you so much.”

I giggle as I drink in his appearance, too. In that tuxedo, he is a god among men. I could look at him forever like this. “Well, you don’t look too bad yourself, Alex. I love you too.”

“Are you ready to start the rest of our lives together?” he asks with a playful cocked eyebrow.

“I’ve been ready for ages. Let’s get this show on the road.”

I look into his eyes as the officiant starts talking, losing myself in his gaze like I have done many times before. I can’t believe Iget to do this forever now. Because he’s mine, and I’m his. This is the start of our happily ever after, and Ilovehow that feels.

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