Did he say what I think he said? I mean, did I hear that wrong? There’s no way he just asked me to marry him. I barely have time to register what lines are on the stick when he blurts it out.

“What?” I can only look at him with what must be the most confused and perplexed look on my face. My mouth goes instantly dry as I try to process both.

“Marry me, Jenny.” My eyes finally meet his as he walks toward me. My feet feel like they’re stuck in glue. There’s no way in hell I can move. His hands reach for the stick and quickly throws it on the couch.

“What are doing, Jack?” I’m trying hard to remain in control, but no one pisses me off like he does. Damn him. Even though I love him fiercely, his timing for things really sucks.

“Listen to me, Jenny. I know I can be a complete ass and usually screw things up, but you are the one thing that I’ve gotten right.” Our fingers interlock as he pulls me closer to him, my feet finally budging. “For most of my life, I was running away from feeling anything. Then you came home and I knew I needed to stop. You are the one person that I want to feel everything with. No running. No hiding. I only want to be with you and love you.”

I can feel my hands shaking in his. My eyes are darting around avoiding his because once I do, all coherent thoughts are a lost cause. “Jack, I love you more than anything. You are everything to me, but please don’t ask me because of this.” My head makes a motion to the stick on the couch. I try to move to it but he stops me.

“Hell no, baby. Why do you think I asked you before you even told me?” His fingers cover my mouth so I can’t speak. “In this moment, all that matters to me is that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. If it’s positive or negative, it won’t change my mind.”

My eyes finally steady as I listen to him. I’ve known this man since I was seven years old. We have seen the best and the worst of each other. There’s nothing we don’t know and yet I feel like we are still learning.

But that’s what love is on some level. You grow together everyday, and your love increases because they’re the one. Plain and simple. “I want to say yes, Jack, but don’t you want to know first?”

Jack turns away and opens his desk drawer. Stepping back to me, he gets down on one knee. He’s still covered in mud and wearing his ripped shorts but he’s still the most beautiful man I know. “I was waiting for the right time to give you this. I wanted to a few weeks ago, but I was nervous it was too fast.” I watch him carefully open the box. Inside is a stunning round solitaire diamond in an antique setting with smaller diamonds set around the band. My legs feel weak so I kneel down with him.

“This was my grandmother’s. She was an amazing woman and her ring should only sit on the hand of another amazing woman.” He takes the ring out and picks up my left hand. “You told me once that you wanted to be loved for who you were, who you are now, and who you are going to be. Well, that’s how I love you, baby. So, now I’m going to ask you again. Jenny Bean, will you marry me and spend the rest of your life with me?”

The tears pool and trickle down my face. I honestly can’t imagine my life without him. “Yes, Jack, yes, I will marry you.” His arms scoop me up as he hugs me tighter than he ever has. He plants kisses all over me, and all I can do is laugh. He slides the ring on my finger and kisses it. It’s one of the sweetest and most loving things. My lips finally meet his for a tender kiss filled with hope, promise, and love. My heart is full.

“Just think Jenny Bean, you get to call me on my shit for the rest of our lives.” He slaps my ass playfully, and the smirk is apparent on my face.

“I’m so looking forward to that.” He comes in for another kiss that’s much more fevered and passionate. One arm leans me back as the other picks up my legs. He’s walking me to the bedroom. All the while his lips haven’t left mine. I am so in love with this man.

He lays me down gently on the bed as our lips continue their exploration. He’s slow and deliberate with each touch. His hands brush across my stomach as he lowers his head, planting soft nibbles along the way. Pausing at my tummy, he runs his fingertips across as he kisses it. Looking up at me, I can see in his eyes that he wants to know now.

My head nods as I smile. I barely get the words “yes” out before he’s smothering my belly with kisses. My moment of bliss suddenly gets clouded with worry. “Are you sure you want to marry me, Jack?”

Jack immediately slides up to me, his face hovering over mine. “You are all I ever wanted or needed. You are my person, my love, and my home.” He brushes my nose with his. “Don’t ever forget that or doubt it. I want to marry you today, tomorrow, and the day after that. You’ve given me the two best gifts I’ve ever gotten. Your love and now a family.”

My hands reach for his head as I crush him into me. My legs wrap around his waist as my hips rise up to meet his. “Fuck, baby, you turn me on. Hopefully, our little nugget won’t mind what I’m about to do to his mom.” My foot kicks him in the ass before reminding him that it could be a girl. I watch his face go starkly white. “Fuck, baby, I didn’t think of that.” He lowers his head while I remind him to breathe.

He begins to regain some composure and continues to love me; however, a little less rough than our usual pace. We are in this adventure and wild ride together. God help us.