The Proposal

"What?!" I blink, my brain struggling to process what I just heard. My gaze locks onto Jennifer, searching for any sign that she's joking.

"Marry me," she repeats, her voice steady as she gently squeezes my hands.

I let out a sharp breath, stunned. "You… you gotta be kidding me!" I hiss, instinctively pulling my hands away.

"No, I'm not," she says, immediately grabbing my hands again, holding on as if refusing to let me escape. "Listen to me."

I finally sit back, my heart still racing, and stare into her eyes. Those brilliant, determined eyes—the same ones that always shine when she has a plan.

"I love you. You know that, right?" Jennifer asks, her voice softer now.

I nod. Of course, I do.

She wipes away a tear before continuing. "I've told you before… I love you so much that I don't care about your past. I only care about the man you are now, and the future we will have together. But Scott… everything you told me tonight… your past… it was terrifying."

I inhale sharply and whisper, "That's why… I should leave you." My fingers brush away her lingering tears.

Jennifer shakes her head. "It was scary, yes. But it was your past. And for the past month, I've watched you struggle… fight against it. I know you. I know you will never bring that darkness into our lives."

I nod repeatedly, my voice trembling. "I won't. I swear, I will protect you from anything—even from myself."

Jennifer lets out a small chuckle. "You're not bad. Unless, of course, I have terrible taste in men."

Her teasing makes me laugh, a sudden, uncontrollable snort escaping. Unfortunately, that also means… my snot comes out.

Jennifer gasps. Then—bursts into laughter.

I groan, quickly wiping my nose while she leans back, laughing even harder. The heaviness in the air suddenly lifts, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel lighter.

Still grinning, Jennifer reaches up and cups my cheek. Her touch is so soft, so warm. "I want to protect you, too," she murmurs. "Marry me so I can be your wife. As your wife, they can't force me to testify against you if—someday—they arrest you for your past."

I stare at her in disbelief.

God, I am so lucky to have this woman love me.

She isn't just beautiful. She's smart, sharp, brilliant. A woman who can make my heart stop with a single look and find a legal loophole to protect me in the same breath.

"What do you think?" Jennifer's voice pulls me out of my daze.

I don't answer right away. Instead, I shake my head and kiss her deeply.

Then, I pull back and say, "The answer is no."

Jennifer freezes, her eyes widening, and fresh tears spill down her cheeks.

I smile as I wipe them away. "Don't cry, baby." I kiss her again, gently this time, before taking the can ring from her fingers.

"I won't let you take my role."

Slowly, I lower myself onto one knee, holding the can ring in front of her left hand.

"Marry me, Jennifer McCourtney. Not so you can't testify against me. But because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I have never met a woman more beautiful—inside and out—than you. And I am the luckiest man alive that you love me despite my past. So please… marry me, Jen."

That was it. That was the best proposal I could come up with.

And honestly? It was awful.

I hold my breath, my heart hammering in my chest. I mean, she was the one who proposed first, so surely, she'll say yes, right? But even knowing that, my nerves are eating me alive.

Jennifer stares at me, still crying. Then, slowly, she nods.

"Yes," she whispers. Then again, more confidently, nodding several times. "Yes."

I exhale, finally able to breathe again.

Carefully, I slide the can ring onto her finger. Then, without wasting another second, I kiss her—long, deep, desperate.

I can still taste the salt from her tears, feel her trembling against me.

"I love you, Jen," I whisper as I pull back.

"I love you, too," she replies.

Jennifer glances at her hand, at the ridiculous little aluminum ring, and suddenly chuckles.

"I never thought I'd be so cheap, accepting a proposal with a can ring," she jokes, lifting her hand to admire it. But even as she teases, I can see the fondness in her eyes.

I smirk. "Hey, what are you doing?"

She grabs her phone, aiming the camera at her hand. "Updating my social media, of course."

I groan. "Oh, come on. You're really going to humiliate your future husband in front of all your friends?"

Jennifer grins. "This will be a never-ending joke at every family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner."

"Alright, that's it!" I grab her waist and tickle her, making her shriek with laughter. "Today, I'm dragging you to the most expensive jewelry store in the city and buying you the biggest, most ridiculous diamond they have!"

She shakes her head, still giggling. "No, this is enough."

I narrow my eyes. "Oh boy… my future wife is so cheap. How did I get so lucky?" I tease, kissing her again.

Jennifer gasps dramatically. "Oh, don't get me wrong, hubby. I still expect an extravagant wedding dress and an over-the-top wedding dinner."

I smirk. "At your service, wifey. And if my money isn't enough, you'll kindly lend me some, won't you? You are a billionaire, after all."

Jennifer bursts into laughter. "Wow. I really am a cheap woman. Even my wedding is going to be on a loan to my own husband."

I laugh with her, pulling her into another passionate kiss.

God, I love this woman.

As our lips part, the sound of her phone alarm beeping breaks the moment.

Jennifer groans. "Ugh… I need to get ready. I have a trial at eight this morning."

I nod and reluctantly let her slip out of my embrace.

While she's in the shower, I get up and head to the kitchen, deciding to make her breakfast. I brew a pot of tea instead of coffee—she's supposed to cut down on caffeine for the baby—and toast some bread while frying an egg.

As I plate the food, I call out, "Babe, when do you think we should get married?"

Silence.

That's odd. She should be out of the shower by now, just doing her makeup. She should have heard me.

"Honey?" I call again, walking toward our bedroom. "What are you—"

I freeze.

Jennifer is sitting on the floor, still half-naked—wearing only her bra and panties—crying.

My stomach drops.

"Hey, hey… what's wrong?" I rush to her side, kneeling beside her. She covers her face, shaking her head as more tears fall.

Panic grips my chest. "Baby, talk to me. What's wrong?"

She just keeps crying.

I don't know what to do, so I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as she sobs against my chest.

A thousand fears rush through my mind.

Is she sick? Is something wrong with the baby? Does she regret saying yes?

Does she… regret me?

@@@@@ AUTHOR'S NOTE @@@@@

A short chapter this time. But really sweet, right ? hehe.. It's been quite sometimes I didn't write a sweet chapter. Well, I plan to have some sweet lovey dovey chapters ahead, maybe even a snu chapter. I don't know, should I put SMUT scene on these coming sweet chapters ? Let me know your preferences, please. ;)