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“You up for a little road trip?” Damir asks me.
“What do you have in mind?” I ask, already knowing I want to go wherever he suggests.
“Thought we could pop up on my parents. It’s been over a month since they left here, and my mom has let me know it enough for me to get the message. Plus I know they would love to see the ultrasound picture we got yesterday.”
“Sure, just let me make sure I pack copious amounts of crackers and ginger ale.”
“I thought the morning sickness was over,” he says.
“It is. Now it’s just in the car.”
“Okay. If we don’t have any, we can stop for some.”
I nod and leave the kitchen to shower and dress. Putting on my brand spanking new pair of maternity skinny jeans that I didn’t even know existed and a navy blue shirt, that wraps around to the left side, clipping into place there to hold the shirt closed. But my favorite part is the bow right over my bump that isn’t just a bump anymore. I look at my heels with longing and go to put on some ankle boots instead as Damir passes me with a kiss before heading to the closet.
My brow arches when he reappears wearing a button-up shirt and a pair of black pants. He hasn’t been this dressed up since our first date, well then and at court. It makes me wonder if we’re not going somewhere else along the way or when we meet up with his parents. When he looks over at me, his eyes sweep up and down my body, desire clear in them.
“I must say, pregnancy looks very good on you,” he says.
“Do not get used to it.” I glare at him in the mirror. “We will be waiting a while before the next one.”
“The next one.” He wiggles his brows. “I like it.”
“Let’s go.” I chuckle.
Thankfully my stomach cooperates during the ride. A few times I notice Damir’s fingers thumping a nervous beat against the steering wheel as he drives. When we pull up to his parents, Damien and Evelyn are outside, standing by their car. They ask if we’d like to accompany them to go look at a place they think we’d be interested in moving to, so Damir and I get into Damien’s car. It’s a five minute drive before we pull up to...an empty lot.
“Um, are we in the wrong place?” I ask looking out the window.
“Come on and see.” Damien chuckles.
We all get out of the car and Damir’s hand links with mine. I look down at it, confused from the dampness I feel coming off his palm. What the hell is going on? Once we get to the middle of the lot, standing in the grass, Damir points to the left.
“I picture our bedroom going over there,” he says.
“Huh?”
“This is where I’m going to build you your dream house.”
My eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
He smiles. “I am. If you want it.”
“Do I want my dream man to build me my dream house?” I laugh. “I’m gonna go with yes.”
“Your dream man.” He murmurs. “Well that makes this a little easier.”
Before I can even question what he means, he drops down to one knee in front of me. My hands go to my mouth as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a black box. My mind is still trying to catch up to what’s happening when Damir smiles up at me, opening the box and showing me the ring inside.
“Yes!” I exclaim.
His head falls back with his laughter. “Do you mind if I ask first?”
“Well hurry up.” I bounce from foot to foot, ready to have that ring on my finger.
“Mariah, you own every single piece of my heart. You’re the only one I want to be with for the rest of my life and whatever is beyond that. I’m an imperfect man, but you love me perfectly, and I will forever appreciate that and never take it for granted. I would be honored if you would take this ring and promise to be mine.”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
I shove my hand in his face, and he stands up before sliding the ring on my finger. Moving my hand back and forth, I admire the ring, a simple diamond in the center and smaller ones wrapping around the band.
“It’s beautiful.” I breathe.
“I love you,” he says, tilting my chin up for a kiss.
I wrap my arms around him, bringing him closer so our lips can meet again and again. Just as I’m about to slide my tongue against his lips, I hear a cheer behind me and remember his parents are here. I back up, but bring my forehead to his before pulling away.
“I love you Damir,” I whisper only for his ears.
“Thank you for saying yes.”
“Thank you for asking.” I chuckle as Evelyn and Damien reach us.
I hug Evelyn first, then Damien.
“So, if this was all a prank, would you be mad?”
My head snaps up at the sound of Liam’s voice. Tears fill my eyes and when Damien releases me, I barrel into Liam’s chest.
“You’re here.” I croak.
“You didn’t think I would miss my little sister getting engaged, did you?”
“Well since I had no idea... Yeah.” I chuckle.
“I’m happy for you. He’s a good guy. He’ll give you everything you want.”
I nod, not wanting to leave this embrace yet. This feels like I’m finally leaving Liam, even though we moved away from each other months ago. But this, getting engaged, getting ready to have a baby, standing on where my home will be, it all feels like a new phase of life starting. As if he can read my mind, Liam puts his finger under my chin, tilting my face up until my eyes meet his.
“You’ll never lose me. I wouldn’t go anywhere, even if you begged me to go.” He grins.
“I know. Thank you...for everything Liam. You’ve done so much for me, been there for me, protected me. I love you, big brother.”
He kisses my hair as he hugs me again. “I love you, little sister.”
He looks at something over my head as we seperate. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought Nia.”
“Of course not,” I say, turning around and wiping my eyes to look at Nia.
She stands by Liam’s car and waves. I motion her over and hug her when she reaches me.
“Thank you for coming,” I say.
“This was so incredibly sweet.” She smiles.
“That’s what I was going for.” Damir chuckles, coming to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “My parents have some food waiting for everyone back at the house.”
“Well you know I’m hungry.” I laugh.
“Do you mind if we ride with you?” Damien asks Liam. “Let them have a little time to themselves.”
“Yeah, sure.” Liam nods. “We’ll see you guys at the house.”
They leave as Damir opens the door for me, but instead of starting the car, he turns to face me in his seat. He hands me a piece of paper, folded up and a little worn. I slowly open it, expecting a love note or something, but what I find is something so much more.
“I wanted you to know that I didn’t propose because you stuck by me while I was in jail or because you’re pregnant, but because I love you with everything inside of me and can’t picture a life without you. About that, I never wanted you to have any doubts,” Damir says.
I know I should say something back, but I’m speechless. My eyes go back and forth over the words, again and again. It’s a list of my favorites. The list I told him my husband had to have. And on it is exactly what I asked for, my favorite flower, restaurant, and movies. My favorite foods and shows, things he’s asked me about both when we first started dating and when I was visiting him.
But even more than those are the favorites he never asked about, the favorites he figured out all on his own. My favorite color, favorite headband, favorite pieces of jewelry to wear. And next to all of them are the dates he discovered them. I don’t even realize I’m crying until a tear drop falls onto the paper. I sniffle, wiping my eyes to look up at Damir.
“I... I can’t believe you made this.” I croak.
“I had to make sure I didn’t forget a single one.” He smiles.
I lean over the center console and bring my lips to his. This time there’s nothing stopping my tongue from sliding into his mouth. He groans, his hand going to the back of my neck and bringing me closer as his tongue circles mine. We break apart only when we need to breathe, looking into each other’s eyes.
“And just to be clear.” I give him one more quick kiss. “I never had any doubts.”
“I do have one request for the wedding though.”
“Oh?”
“You wear a backless dress, so I can see that butterfly.”
I smile. “I think I can make that happen.”
