by R B Hilliard
God I love this man.
“Did you plan this?” I asked, as he swept me onto the dance floor.
“Mmmmm….maybe.”
My eyes filled. “I can’t believe I am here….dancing with you…to this song.” I barely managed to get the words out.
“Shhh,” he whispered and wiped the tears from my eyes. He pulled me close and quietly sang the words to the song in my ear while dancing us around the floor. Feeling him pressed firmly against me with his hands on my body while singing this song made my heart ache. I wanted him …here with me… like this… forever.
“Oh Max,” I sighed and planted my face in his chest. He tipped his head down to look at me. I swallowed deeply, looked up into his beautiful eyes and allowed him to see the power he held over my heart.
His eyes moved over my face. “You believe it now, don’t you?” he asked.
I hesitated. “Believe what?”
“That you are my end game.”
I swallowed deeply before responding. “I believe it Max.”
He placed his hands on either side of my face, leaned in and slowly touched his lips to mine. “You…are…mine,” he whispered against my lips. “Let me hear you say it.”
“I am yours.”
He stepped back and placed his hands on my belly. “This… is… mine,” he declared. “Say it, Ellison.”
I put my hands on top of his. “This is yours.”
He led me from the dance floor and into a quiet side room before continuing. “I told Kurt that I wouldn’t do this until the time was right.”
My breath hitched. “Do what?”
“I have been waiting a long time for you to get that you are mine, babe. I have always known this but somewhere along the way….you forgot. I knew from the moment I saw you in Dragonfly’s parking lot that it was going to take some work to make you remember. I’ve gotta say, my gorgeous girl, you have made me work for it.”
What?
I opened my mouth to protest, but was silenced by a kiss. “I am crazy in love with you Ellison Elizabeth Davis and have been for as long as I can remember.”
Oh God.
I blinked back the tears. “I’ve told you time and again that you are my end game. When we danced, just now, you showed me that you finally fucking get it. I love you. I want to take care of you. I will never leave you. I will protect you and our children,” he paused, cut his eyes to my belly and continued, “for as long as I breathe. Tell me you get this.” The love in his eyes for me was staggering.
“I get it Max,” I whispered through my tears.
I so get it.
“About fucking time,” he muttered. Before I could get a word in he reached down into his pants pocket and dropped to his knee.
OhGodohGodohGod.
“I want our forever Ellison. Will you give it to me?”
“Yes,” I sobbed, “I will give you our forever, Max.”
He stood back up and took my hand in his. “This was my mom’s. My dad gave it to her when he wanted a forever with her. This ring represents the good before the bad. I want you to wear it because, other than the brief time that my mom was alive, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. We have already had our bad so now begins our good.” The ring was an exquisite round diamond surrounded by sapphires.
He slid it onto my finger. Then he leaned down and gave me a soul scorching kiss.
My heart belonged to this man. “From the bottom of my soul I love you, Max McLellan.”
He smiled. “I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth, if that is what it took to make you mine. Promise that you will love me always, Ellison Davis?”
I touched my mouth to his and smiled. “Always.”