The delicate looking princess cut engagement ring was warm as it rested in my palm. It weighednothing, but my hand shook. Hell, my hand shook so badly that I barked out a dry laugh that crackedlike thunder as I stood in my childhood bathroom.

Id never been this nervous before. Jesus. I shouldve taken out stock in the brand of deodorant I used.It was crazy.

This whole thing was insane. A year ago I never wouldve thought Id be minutes from getting downon one knee like one of those guys in those corny ass jewelry commercials. Never thought that wouldbe me, but there was a knot in my throat the size of a soccer ball, & the nervous energy was partexcitement, part dread, because she could always say no.

And that would be seven circles of hell kind of awkward with my whole family downstairs. Howmany circles of hell were there? Wait. Dammit. Why was I even thinking about that right now?Dragging my gaze to the mirror over the sink, I looked like I was seconds from walking off a cliff.Would she think this was too soon? I knew she loved me. No doubt in my mind. And there was nowoman on this Earth I loved more than her. There. I felt it. The skip of my heart. The dip in my gut.

I was in deep when it came to her. Always had been. That was never going to change. She was &would always be my everything. This was the right thing to do. Id just wished I had more to give her.A romantic dinner. Maybe one of those flash mobs.

Actually, she would probably hide under a table if a flash mob was involved. I started to put the ringback in the velvet box, but on second thought, said WTH & tossed the box aside & slipped the babyinto the pocket of my jeans. Then I got down to making myself look somewhat presentable. Scrubbedmy face. Brushed teeth. Shoved my fingers through my hair. Grabbed for the floss & realized I wasprocrastinating like a mofo. Id told her Id be gone for a few minutes. That was fifteen minutes ago.Okay. More like twenty minutes. It was like a fell into a black hole up here.

I needed to downstairs before someone sent a search party. That was the last thing I needed. Mynerves were already shot. My heart pounded, louder than my booted footsteps as I headed down thehall. Stopping at the top of the steps I closed my eyes. Get it together. This was only the biggestquestion Id ever ask anyone in my life. Yeah, that thought didnt help whatsoever. I just needed tostop thinking. I also needed to walk down these steps. A cupcake would also be really good aboutnow. Maybe even a cookie. Okay. I needed to also stop thinking about food Those steps was theshortest damn steps Id ever walked. In seconds, I was down in the foyer, standing there like an idiotwith my hand pressed against the pocket of my jeans. My mouth was dry. I might be having a heartattack Everything was cool. Laughter floated out from the living room. Someone shouted somethingabout balls. My father? Probably. How appropriate.

I needed to find mine. It wasnt like my family or my best friend didnt know Id been planning to dothis. But they had no idea it would happen Tonight. On Christmas. Which was admittedly cheesy.Thats what love did. Made me into a complete cheese ball. If I started crying Id probably punchmyself in the throat. Time to get these feet moving. Now or never. Do or die. Blah. Blah. My feetmoved like I was knee deep in wet sand. The twinkling lights from the massive, Lampoon sizeChristmas Tree led the way My parents got a little crazy with Christmas.Looked like Christmas threw

up on the house. I might actually hurl. That would be romantic. Very sexy. I stopped just at thethreshold of the living room, my eyes finding her immediately & there it was again. The punched inthe chest feeling. Weak in the freaking knees.

I hadnt said a word, but she turned from where she sat beside my sister, as if we were connected &she knew I was there Our gazes locked. And in that moment, when her lips curved up at the corners, Iheard nothing. I saw only her. And she was the most beautiful thing Id ever seen. Id be the luckiestSOB on the planet to spend the rest of my life With her. Only her.

You holding up the door, boy? my father said. I bit back a groan. Way to kill the mood. But I Icouldnt pull my eyes away from her. Mom stood from where she was perched on the arm of dadschair.

You okay, honey?

Yeah, I replied, voice hoarse. Never been better. And that was the damn truth. Eyes trained onher, I stepped over the long legs of my friend. He said something. I had no clue what it was. Probablysomething that will make me want to punch him later, because I heard my sister giggle. But my focuswas on her, on those pretty eyes. Her smile spread, crinkling her nose. I knew just how many frecklesshe had on the bridge of her nose. Eight. And a half. She had a couple more in some really interestingplaces. Places I really didnt need to think about right this moment.Taking a deep breath, I did it. Holycrap balls, I did it.

I got down on one knee in front of her. Like a champ. As I stared in the warmest brown eyes, my sistersquealed as she shot from the couch like there were springs under her The moment she recognizedwhat I was doing, before I even reached into my pocket, would stay with me for the rest of my life.She jerked back as her eyes widened, turning glassy with a fine sheen. Her lips moved, silentlyspeaking my name. And thatthe movement of just her lips got to me. I was such a Hallmark cardright now, but I had no regrets Silence fell in the room. My dad was even quiet. For once. & the knotin my throat expanded, so when I spoke, it was raspy.

I planned on doing this a couple of months ago, I told her, feeling my heart trying to climb out of mychest.

Things came up, & I thought Id have something else big planned, but I cant wait any longer. I dontwant to. I had to clear my throat. I dont have a big speech, but you know that I love you, right? ThatIm in love with you. With the tips of her fingers pressed against her lips, she nodded as she blinkedrapidly. Yeah, she knew. And Im always going to be in love you. My voice caught. You runninginto me in the hallway was my luckiest day.

Oh God, she whispered.

So Im hoping that youre going to make today my second luckiest day, by saying yes.

Holy shit, my dad murmured, and I heard my mother hush him.

Dad, my sister cried. Geez. Seriously?

Laughing, I reached into my pocket, finding the ring & pulling it out. I tugged her left hand away fromher mouth I kissed the top of her hand first, and then I lifted my gaze, meeting hers once again. Herhand shook as bad as mine & her eyes were full of tears. I couldnt move or speak for a moment.Frozen in the moment. And then I found my voice. Avery Morgansten, would you make me theluckiest guy ever by being my wife?

Yes, she said, nodding, & before I could get the ring on her finger, she sprung forward, wrappingher arms around my neck I rocked back, folding my arms around her, and I lost my balance, landing onmy ass with her latched onto me,

the top of her red head buried against my chest. Someone in the room shouted and clapped. I couldhear my mom crying

I reached beside us, gently lifting her cheek. Shortcake My voice trembled, & I didnt care.

Youre going to let me get this ring on you? Avery half laughed, half hiccuped as she pulled back,swiping at her cheeks with her palm.

Yes. Sorry. She extended her left arm, all but shoving her hand at me, and I laughed. Yeah, myvision was blurring. On went the ring. Perfect fit. She clasped my cheeks as she leaned in, resting herforehead against mine. I love you, Cam. I love you so very much. My eyes drifted shut and I heldher tight. So close I could feel her heart beating as fast as mine. Waiting for Avery was the best thingId ever done & now we had the rest of our lives together.

The End.