“Allison, before you came crashing into my life I thought I knew what happiness was. I didn’t think I needed love or someone by my side to share my moments with. Since meeting you, I’ve realized the moments are just that unless you share them with someone you love, that makes them memories. Memories filled with love, passion, sadness, laughs, and tears.” I take a deep breath. “You, my beautiful girl, have captivated my heart and soul. You’re my best friend, and I live my life for you. I don’t want to live without you entwined in every aspect of my life. I love you.” With that I get down on one knee and pull the ring out of my pocket. “Allison Shay Hagan, you are the air I breathe and blood in my veins. Will you be my forever, will you marry me?”
Chapter 37
Allison
I can feel the crocodile tears rolling down my cheeks, and I’m unable to contain the smile I know is shining upon my face. I don’t need to think about the answer as Gran’s words flash through my mind. ’Let him love you, Allie.’ ‘Live and love fearlessly.’ I launch myself into his arms and crash my lips to his, kissing him with all the love inside of me. He pulls away, and I groan in protest. I bury my face in his neck breathing him in. Liam clears his throat.
“Um, is that a yes?” His voice is thick with emotion.
I lean back and grab his face with my hands. “That is a hell yes!” I crash my lips to his, opening my mouth, inviting him in. When we finally have to come up for air, Liam grabs my hand and slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen into place. I look up at him, and then back to the ring. “Liam, it’s beautiful.”
Smiling he says, “That’s what Gran said when I showed it to her.”
I snap my head back to look at him. “W—what do you mean, when you showed it to her?”
“I bought the ring before Christmas. I showed it to Gran while we were there and asked her permission to ask you to be my wife. I had no idea that…” he trails off, not wanting to finish his sentence.
“She knew,” I whisper.
“She’s here with you, beautiful girl. She held the ring and said it was perfect for you. Aiden has been hiding it, because I was afraid you would find it in our room. I was just waiting for the right time to ask you. I knew it was you I wanted months ago, I just wanted the timing to be right.”
I have so many emotions running through me. I’m elated Liam wants to spend the rest of his life with me. It’s official, we’re getting married. I’m stunned he’s been holding onto the ring for months. I can’t even describe what I’m feeling, knowing Gran saw my ring and she knew Liam was my forever. I’m sad for the fact Gran isn’t physically here to see me marry the love of my life. Liam says she’s here with us, and I have to believe he’s right. She is here, watching over us.
Standing on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his. “I love you, Liam MacCoy,” I speak softly against his lips.
“I love you too, future Mrs. MacCoy.”
Liam’s cell phone rings and he groans. He snatches it off the table he has pushed against the wall. “Somebody better be bleeding,” he snarls, and I smack him on the arm. He gives me a look, letting me know he isn’t impressed with the caller.
I can hear Hailey on the other end asking if he has asked me yet. Before he can reply, I pull the phone out of his hands. “I cannot believe you kept this from me,” I tell her.
The reply I get is, “What did you say? Please tell me you said yes.”
“Of course, I said yes!” Screaming commences on the other end of the line, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear.
Grinning, he takes it back from me and hangs up, not even bothering to tell her goodbye. “I should have known better than to answer.” He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my ring.
“It’s beautiful.” I meet his gaze. “We’re getting married.”
“Hell, yes we are, but first I’m going to make love to my fiancée, then we’re going to have dessert, then I’m going to make love to my fiancée again, and then we need to get some rest because tomorrow we fly to New York to determine our future.”
“You should have waited to propose, I don’t want this to take away from your excitement of the draft, you’ve worked hard to get where you are.”
“Baby, I needed to know, before we leave here tomorrow, that no matter what happens you are with me forever and always. I don’t care what team drafts me. Hell, if I don’t get drafted so be it. The only thing that matters to me is I know that you, my beautiful girl, are my future, no matter what the outcome may be.”
Again, with the damn tears. “I love you.” I hug him tight.
“And I love you, so much.”
Epilogue
Liam
I woke up this morning tangled up with my fiancée. She was sleeping peacefully in our mess of tangled limbs, her head resting on my chest. I kept her up later than I should have, but I couldn’t help it. Making love to her knowing she’d agreed to marry me, well, let’s just say once wasn’t enough. This girl has changed me. I think back to the first time I saw her and I think deep down I knew then she was my game changer, although it took me weeks to admit it. Today is the big day, the NFL draft starts. Aiden and I are both rumoured to be first round picks; our agents say it’s a done deal. A year ago, that was all I cared about. I would’ve been a nervous wreck going into this, but now holding this beautiful girl in my arms—I’m not nervous. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve wanted this since I was old enough to hold a football, but holding her is more important. I know I have a good education to fall back on, and either way, I’ll be able to provide for her. Granted, if I’m drafted I can not only take care of her, but spoil her to the degree of obscenity. Not that I need to. Allison’s parents made sure she was set for life. That’s her money though. I want to spoil her with mine. However, I know that’s not what she wants or needs, she just wants me, and that’s what keeps me calm. I know wherever we end up, she’ll be there by my side.
I’m startled out of my thoughts when I hear Allison saying my name. “Liam.” Damn, even her voice pulls me into her.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Your dad wants to know if you need anything, they’re going to get drinks.”
I look to my dad, who’s grinning like he knows what I was thinking about. “No, thanks,” I say as I lace my fingers with Allison’s.
My agent, Tom, walks up. “Okay, Liam, they’re about to start. Are you ready for this?”
I squeeze Allison’s hand and kiss her temple. I turn to look at Aiden, who’s sitting across the table from me, as well as his family and his agent. We insisted we all be together, that way we can celebrate. We’ve become one big family. I give Aiden a nod that he returns. “Let’s do this.”
We all watch from the screen as the announcer steps to the podium. “The North Carolina Panthers pick Liam MacCoy, quarterback, University of North Carolina.” The table filled with my family and friends erupts with cheers.