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I hadn't proposed yet, but Connie was no fool

I hadn't proposed because I was still waiting on the ring I realize proposing fourScarlett was pretty fast At least on paper To me, it felt like an eternity I'd been ready to marry her after teeks, but with the kids to consider, it felt better to let everyone settle in before throwing thee

Anyway, having a ring custo jewelry, s, for a shop on Main Street that specialized in local artisans The owner had taken to Scarlett immediately, instantly in love with her work Every time I'd acco to a specific display of rings, her gaze lingering over the twists and turns of s

When it was ti unique She has the heart of an artist, and she needed a ring as unique and visionary as she was Unfortunately for ner's schedule was packed with coed to persuade her to work ht stone

We went through the faed to Lady Estelle Ophelia Sawyer, the English bride for who itself was heavy and outdated Nothing any modern bride would want to wear, but the stones had been remarkable A perfect, emerald-cut ruby with a handful of smaller diamonds whose fire set off the ruby to perfection

I slid the ring onto Scarlett's finger one night after I'd made love to her as we lay in my bed under the covers, our heads close on the pillohispering in the dark, stretching out the time before she went back to her own room

I wasn'tScarlett so we could share a bed in front of the kids, but that was definitely a perk I was looking forward to She lay besideher lips I lifted her hand, kissing her pal into place

I hadn't expected the tears that filled her eyes, her kiss tinged with salt, her eyes bright with love "Yes A thousand times, yes"

"What do you think about a Christest a long engage it would take a year to plan

Even knowing she wouldn't want so and splashy, she surprised me "Christmas Eve, here at the house, in the library Just fa for the holiday, so it'll be perfect And I don't want to wait any longer"

I kissed her, taking her hand inmy heart with fierce joy I wanted them to be mine Officially I wanted to claim Scarlett, claim her boys, in front of both of our families

We had our first kiss in the library It felt right that we'dfireplace, our fa the rooht

Thatcher and August walked their mother down the makeshift aisle Thatcher looked uncoust strutted as if he'd been born in a bow tie Scarlett was incandescent, her cha pool at her feet She'd left her hair loose and wild, the way I loved it best

Flanked by her boys, she was the oddess of love, and she was about to beScarlett's hands as they escorted her totheir positions Augustas my best man Thatcher took his place beside his mother as her man of honor

When it was time, Scarlett said, "I do," her voice sole with happy tears I promised to honor and cherish her for the rest of

That night, as I lay my head on the pillow beside h to burst She turned her head to facewith amusement

"As far as Christ to have a hard ti this one"