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“But you’re not,” I rush to assure him “You’ve done more than—”

“Did you even hear what I just said, Regan?” he cuts in over me “You’re the woman I love”

I blink a moment, then hesitantly drawl, “Yes I heard that You’ve known me forever Of course you love me”

“Jesus,” he ht in front of ives me the tiniest of shakes as if it’s needed to clear the cobwebs fro friend Well, wait… I do But I love you as one It belongs just to you, and it will never belong anywhere else again So that’s why things are scary and terrifying I don’t want to lose you I’ve just now entered into a life that has become the happiest I’ve ever been It adds so much promise to my future because I have you, and I don’t want to lose it I want to be a husband to you for real For the long haul I want to have children—assu you can with your condition—and if not, we’ll adopt I just knoant my life to be with you forever So yes, I’m scared Yes, I’m frustrated Yes, I’ll probably always be that way, but I’ll learn to be strong and supportive about it I’m sorry you overheard that, but if this is what’s colad you eavesdropped”

I just stare at him

“Which is never really cool to do by the way,” he adds

My brain swiet a little dizzy, pulling away froe of the couch

Dax stands there, hands loose at his side, and watches me warily “Are you okay?”

I nod dumbly He loves me? Like really loves me? Wants to be married for real? Kids?

Holy shit I don’t know if I’ve ever been nosis

“Regan,” he asks again, taking a step toward me “Are you okay?”

I nod slowly, my voice thick “Just a little overwhelmed”

Dax’s lips curve upward, his eyes twinkling

He reaches into his front pocket, pulls so out, then drops to one knee before

“You’re about to be a little more overwhel box

My head stops spinning, and my eyes focus with utter clarity on the contents inside

Three rings