Dylan held on tight to Sera’s hand. He was so nervous. For his sisters, sure, he wanted this day to be perfect for them. But also because of what he was about to do. What he’d been trying to do for the last two months since they’d been in New York.

His mother had given him her original engagement ring when he’d asked her if she’d be okay with him giving it to Sera. She’d been thrilled of course. His next step had been to talk to the Senator. That had gone better than he expected actually.

He’d have expected her to take over and tell him how to propose. But she’d smiled and hugged him and said he had her blessing. Now, all that was left was the asking. For two months he’d been trying to plan it. Hell, he’d almost asked her in bed this morning. She’d looked so peaceful curled into his side. But he’d chickened out.

The ushers situated everyone in their seats and he knew he was running out of time. In exactly three minutes, after the doves and butterflies were released, they both would be walking down the aisle. Delilah and Mia had pretty much already adopted her as a sister in law and made her part of the wedding so they’d be walking down the aisle hand in hand.

She patted his back. “Are you okay? You look nervous.”

He shook his head. And try as he might he couldn’t find the words. But true to form, Sera was ready to make him laugh.

“Should I tell you a dirty joke or tell you that I’m not wearing any underwear?”

Fuck. His gaze roamed over her body in the mint green gossamer gown. Was she serious? Her dark eyes met his, full of humor and love and then it felt like the easiest thing in the world.

He reached onto his pocket and pulled out the ring he’d been carrying for the last two months. With shaking hands he slid it onto her finger. “I have never loved another human being more than I love you. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes widened as she stared down at her ring. She nodded and rapidly blinked away tears. “Your timing is impeccable.”

He shrugged. “I know, but there was no scenario more perfect than this. Surrounded by family and love. And look, there are butterflies.”

She laughed and squeezed his hand. “I love you, Dylan.”

Looking into her eyes he knew it was the absolute truth. “I still think you need your head examined. I’m a pain in the ass.”

“I’ve heard. But you’re my pain in the ass.”

The strings started cueing up for the singer to start Ava Maria and she inhaled deeply. “I’ve never been so happy.”

“Well, I can certainly make you happier. And I warn you, I plan on keeping you in bed for a good long while. I think we need practice for the honeymoon. You should probably start stretching now.”

She folded her hand into the crook of his arm as they took their position. The emerald cut diamond gleamed in the sunlight. “Stretching, right. Is this a good time to tell you I’ve been waiting for you to ask me for two months?”

Their cue was coming in just fifteen seconds. “What?”

She nodded and spoke through her wide smile. I saw your attempt in my dessert that night at Buchannan’s Restaurant. But then, I noticed you fished it out and ate my dessert to cover it up. And the time at Prohibition, when you were pouring champagne, but then decided it was no good and got me a new glass.”

He stared at her. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

She cocked her head. “I know you. You need to come around to things on your own time. It’s part of why I love you.”

“I wanted it to be perfect.”

She patted his arm and smiled up at him as the sound of Ava Maria filled the silence. “The moment I had you, I had perfect, I didn’t need anything else.”

Even as they walked down the aisle, he didn’t see the beautiful gazebo adorned with roses and orchids, he didn't see any of the nearly five hundred guests. Or the way the sunlight shone on the water. All he saw was her. Like her namesake, she was his angel.