He nods, taking the book from my hands and placing it to the side. He gently takes the ring from my hand, and he slides it onto my ring finger. “This was my mom’s. I want you to have it. I have always known I would marry you, but I kept waiting and waiting for the right time. I can’t wait any longer. Please say you’ll marry me, Scarlett.”

“Of course I’ll marry you,” I say, and in a heartbeat, he’s on his feet, kissing me and laughing.

“I love you.” He presses a kiss to my neck, and my knees go weak. “I love your brain.” Another kiss to my forehead. “I love your body.” Another kiss on my jaw. “I love everything you are.” Another kiss on my lips. “I love everything we’ll be.”

“Speaking of…” It’s now or never, probably. “Can I give you my surprise now?”

He grumbles in protest as I try to extract myself from him. Reluctantly, he lets me go, and I go back to the bathroom. When I emerge again, holding the stick in my hand, Ryan is standing still, gaping at me as if words have failed him.

“Um…” I start, suddenly uncertain. “I know we weren’t planning this. Again.” I roll my eyes to the ceiling, feeling like I might actually cry. I’m happy—I think—but I need him with me this time.

“Scarlett…” He trails off, and his voice cracks. “Is that…?”

I wave the stick back and forth. “Surprise.” And then I grimace at my own inability to do this right. “Ugh. Fuck. You gave me a whole-ass book, and all I can do is pee on something and wave it around like a moron—”

“You’re pregnant,” he says, his voice so full of awe it somehow erases every feeling of doubt I had.

Daring to give him a small smile, still a little afraid that if I let this bliss take hold, it’ll be torn from me again, I nod. “Yeah.” Biting my lip, I will the tears building at the corners of my eyes not to fall. “I’m happy. Are you happy? I really fucking want you to be happy.”

Like a fire has been finally lit under him, he closes the distance between us and sweeps me in his arms. He twirls me around, then sets me on the ground and kisses me passionately.

“Happy?” he asks as he pulls back. He cups my jaw, his long fingers brushing gently against my cheek. “No.” He smiles, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners as he looks down at me. “Elated, maybe. Overjoyed. Jubilant. Ecstatic.” Each word comes louder and more ridiculous until we’re both laughing, breathless and weightless with life and love and joy for this new little thing that’s ours.