by Barb Han
“The doctor will be in to speak to the family soon, but he was pleased with how the surgery went,” the nurse stated. “She’ll be moved into a room soon. He wants to keep her here for a few days to make sure her recovery is smooth.”
The middle-aged, short redhead stopped in front of a door. “She’s right in here.”
Rylan wasted no time walking in, and Will was on his heels.
Amber’s eyes were closed. Seeing her in that room with all the machines beeping and tubes hanging out of her gutted him.
He and Will flanked the bed, and Rylan took her hand in his.
She blinked her eyes open, locked on to Rylan and smiled.
It took another fifteen minutes for her to open her eyes again. This time, she kept them open a little longer.
“Did you mean what you said, Rylan Anderson?” she finally said. She coughed. “My throat is dry as a cactus.”
Rylan couldn’t help but crack a smile. He picked up a water container and helped her get the straw to her lips.
“Thank you. That’s better,” she said after taking a drink. “Where’s the baby?”
“You gave us a scare,” Will said.
“Believe me, I wasn’t trying to.” The smile faded too soon. “Is everyone else okay? Brooklyn is good, right?”
“Yes. The Robinsons are going to separate prisons where at least Mr. Robinson will spend the rest of his life. Brooklyn is with Joyce, waiting for you to get better so you can hold her again,” Rylan said. “And I meant what I said. I love you, Amber. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Amber’s eyes lit up.
“You heard that, right, Will?” she asked.
Will couldn’t help but laugh. “I did.”
“Then you can go,” she teased.
“I’d like him to stick around if you don’t mind,” Rylan said, and the room fell quiet from the seriousness of his tone. “Your father was a good man. He was kind to me. I wish he was here all the time, especially now because I’d like to ask him for your hand in marriage. But if Will can step into his father’s shoes for a minute, I’ll ask him instead.”
Will practically beamed as he looked at his sister. Her smile displayed a row of perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth. Not everything was so perfect about Amber, except that she was perfect for Rylan. “Permission granted.”
Rylan bent down on one knee. He was still holding on to Amber’s hand when he said, “You’re my best friend and the first person I want to speak to no matter what kind of day I’ve had. My heart is yours, Amber. I can’t imagine loving anyone more or finding a better partner to spend my life with. So, if you’ll do me the honor, I’m asking you to marry me.”
“IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU, Rylan. Ever since that first kiss at sixteen years old I knew there was something special, something that I’d never find with another man.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “So, yes, I’ll be your partner, your wife. And I promise to love you with every breath until my last.”
Rylan stood up and leaned over the bed to kiss the woman he loved. He finally found where he belonged.
“What do you think about a Valentine’s wedding?” Amber asked.
“That’s not far off. You sure you don’t want time to plan a wedding?”
“I don’t want a big wedding. I want a marriage. And I can’t think of a better Valentine’s present than to make our family official,” she said.
Those were all the words he needed to hear. “Valentine’s it is.”
Will moved around the side of the bed and gripped Rylan in a man hug. “You’ve always felt like a brother to me. Welcome to the family.”
Rylan couldn’t think of a better way to spend the rest of his life than with a real family, his daughter and the woman he loved.
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