Page 38 of Tied and Tangled
“Mom?”
“I love you. No matter what and always.”
“I know.”
“Do what’s right for you. You have always known what that was. Whatever you decide, I’m Team Aria.”
“Team Aria? Mom, you aren’t making sense.”
“Get the door. I got the rest of breakfast.” My heart picked up speed. She wasn’t going to tell me what was going on or why she was talking all weird with me. I handed her the spatula I had been using on the pancakes and wiped my hands.
As I walked out of the kitchen, the doorbell rang again, but my attention wasn’t on the front door. It was on my sisters all standing in the hallways staring at me. Bleary-eyed and still in pajamas, most of them hungover, they were all smiling like crazies.
“What are you guys—"
“Get the door!” Fernie pointed. I rolled my eyes as I made my way there.
Without checking the peephole, I swung the door open. My eyes widened at the girls who stood there.
River and Lake.
My girls.
I kneeled down and hugged them. Without hesitation, they returned the hug, and when they pulled back and looked at me with their blue gazes, they were grinning.
“What are you guys—"
“We love you,” Lake blurted out with a bright smile.
“And we missed you!” River added.
“Oh, girls!” My eyes widened. “Does you dad—" I wasn’t able to finish the sentence as they turned and pointed behind them. Aiden stood in my front yard holding the biggest bouquet of white and red roses I had ever seen. I rose to my feet never taking my gaze off him.
“Aiden, I mean, umm—"
“You had it right the first time,” River shared in a loud whisper. I could hear my sisters giggle in the living room. They were all probably staring through the windows, but I didn’t look to confirm. I couldn’t.
Not when I couldn’t see anything more than the man I loved with all my heart. He was so handsome. Standing there, wearing a pale blue dress shirt with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves already rolled up his muscular forearms, paired with dark slacks, three days’ worth of scruff on his face, his hair unusually but sexily disheveled. With a mind of their own, my feet took me to him, and when I stopped in front of him, he smiled. Lines formed lovingly at his eyes, and my heart flipped inside out. Righting itself completely after our fight. He handed me the bouquet and took my hand in both of his.
Right before he went down on one knee.
My eyes widened, and a little gasp escaped past my lips.
“Aiden, what are you doing?”
“You were right.”
“I was?” My lips wobbled as I tried to figure out what was going on. Sure, I knew what it looked like. He was on one knee. But what if he was just making a grand gesture?
“Life’s too short to live it on hold,” he reminded me, and my heart rate picked up a little more. “I think I was doing that before you came into it. I fought it. I stupidly fought my feelings for you for a damn year I will never be able to get back. But I promise you I will work tooth and nail, to the damn bone, to make it up to you.”
“Aiden?”
“I love you. I’ve loved you every day since you came into our lives. Your smile made my heart start again. I’m a package deal. I know I can be a pain to deal with, but… will you marry me? Marry me and become part of our family?” he asked. One of his hands let go of mine, and I watched with wide eyes as he reached into his pocket and brought out a box. “The girls helped me pick it out,” he shared. I looked over my shoulder.
The girls stood where I had left them on the porch. My sisters and Mom stood behind them. All the women in my life smiling happily at me, all of them almost bouncing with excitement.
“Marry us, Aria!” River shouted. I giggled, turning my attention back to Aiden.