The Proposal

by Katie Ashley

  She didn’t have to force a beaming smile to her face when she met Aidan at the altar door. As she slipped her arm through his to take their walk down the aisle, Noah gave a gentle kick. She couldn’t help feeling like the most blessed woman on earth.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Emma sat with the bridal party at the head table under multiple glittering chandeliers. She couldn’t believe how beautiful everything looked from the overflowing floral arrangements to the ice sculptures. Casey and Nate’s families had gone all out for the reception.

  After devouring his plate, Aidan cut his eyes over to survey how she was playing with her food. “Noah’s going to get feisty if you don’t eat,” he cautioned, wiping his mouth with his linen napkin.

  “I’ll eat when I finish singing. The last thing I want to do is puke from nerves on Casey and Nate’s big day.” At his skeptical look, she replied, “I promise as soon as I’m done, I’ll shovel it in, including several pieces of the bride and groom’s cakes!”

  Aidan took a sip of champagne before nodding in agreement. “When are you up?”

  “After the speeches.”

  “That’s not long.”

  “Looks like it’s sooner than I thought,” she replied, motioning to where Nate’s brother and best man stood with a microphone in his hand.

  While Anthony spoke, Emma noticed it was Aidan, not herself, who had begun squirming in his seat. His hand shifted from his thigh to his coat pocket several times. When she shot him a questioning look, he mouthed, “Sorry.”

  Once Anthony finished his speech to a round of applause, Carlee took the microphone with a shaky hand. Already teary, she lost it as soon as she began speaking about her sister. It wasn’t long before everyone was crying, Emma included.

  When the bandleader took the microphone from Carlee, Emma felt the butterflies in her stomach turn to boulders. Once again, Aidan became shifty in his seat. “Don’t tell me you’re nervous for me?” she whispered in his ear.

  “Oh, um…yeah, I think I caught your nerves or something,” he finally mumbled.

  “And now it’s time for the bride and groom to take the floor for their first dance as man and wife.”

  Emma winced. “That’s my cue.”

  Aidan grinned. “Break a leg, babe.”

  “Thanks a lot,” she mumbled.

  Without anyone else seeing, he reached out and smacked her ass. His playfulness melted her nervousness.

  The first time Casey ever heard her sing at an open mic night at one of their favorite coffee shops, she swore Emma sounded just like one of her personal favorites, Patty Griffin. So there had never been any question that Casey wanted Emma to perform Heavenly Day for her first dance with Nate. It was also one of Emma’s favorite songs to sing.

  She gripped the microphone confidently and stared out into the packed ballroom. “Seven years ago my late fiancée said, ‘Hey, I think you’re going to love my roommate’s girlfriend. She’s really sweet, but more than that, she’s crazy and funny as hell too!’”

  Emma smiled at the guest’s laughter. “I knew the first time I met Casey that Travis had been right, and we were going to be best friends. I also came to love Nate as well. I’ve been blessed to call her my best friend for all these years, and that she and Nate have been a part of my life in both the good times and the bad.” Emma saw the tears sparkling in Casey’s eyes. “There aren’t words to express how happy and thrilled I am for them as they start this new journey of their life together as man and wife. I wish them all the blessings in the world and pray that God showers them with many, many heavenly days.”

  The band struck up the first few notes of the song, and then Emma found herself wrapped in the zone. She poured her heart and soul into the words, and when she finished carrying out the last note, she knew she had hit it out of the park.

  Thunderous applause sounded all around Emma, bringing her out of the high she received from performing and back onto the stage. She smiled at the reaction. “Thank you very much.”

  When she handed the microphone back to the bandleader, he cried, “Wasn’t that amazing?”

  Applause continued ringing through the ball room, causing Emma’s cheeks to redden even further. She hurriedly plopped down into her seat next to Aidan.

  “How many of you would like to hear Emma sing something else?”

  Whistles and cat calls erupted at the prospect. “Looks like they want an encore, babe,” Aidan said, with a grin.

  Emma shook her head. “I’ve already sang twice. They’re going to think I’m some attention whore or something,” she protested.

  “Not when people are requesting you do it.”

  The band leader’s voice interrupted them. “Aidan, why don’t you come up here and see if you can’t convince Emma to sing something else for us?”

  When he started to get up, Emma grabbed his shirt sleeve and hung on for dear life. “No!” she screeched.

  He smiled reassuringly down at her. “I’ll never understand how one minute you can be the most self-possessed, professional singer, and the next scared to death to perform.”

  “It’s just part of my sweet neurotic side,” she replied.

  “Look, just take a deep breath. I’ll go make up some excuse that you’re too exhausted to sing again in your delicate condition.”

  “Thanks a lot,” she grumbled.

  Aidan stepped over to the stage and took the microphone from the band leader. He gazed out at the audience. “Well, I’m supposed to be up here to either beg Em to sing for you again or to make her apologies.” He glanced back at Emma. “But I must admit that the real reason I’m standing before you has nothing to do with either one.”

  A whisper of conversation cut through the crowd. “I’m standing before you today as one of the happiest men in the world. I have the love of a beautiful woman and a healthy son on the way. But even that isn’t enough. Witnessing the commitment today at the ceremony, I can’t help but want what Casey and Nate have.” A chorus of ‘aw’s” rang throughout the room. “So there’s just one question I want to ask Emma right now.”

  As he strode over to her, Emma couldn’t help feeling absolute and total disbelief. He sat the microphone down on the table to a loud squeal. Reaching into his suit pocket, he took out a black, velvet box. Emma widened her eyes when it opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond.

  Once he had it in his fingers, he knelt down on one knee before her. “Emma Katherine Harrison, angel of mercy and forgiveness, love of my life and mother of my son, will you make me the happiest man in the world and say you’ll marry me?”

  “Oh my God,” Emma murmured. She couldn’t stop the tears from pooling in her green eyes as her hands flew to cover her mouth. “Oh my God,” she repeated.

  “That’s not exactly the response I was hoping for,” Aidan teased.

  Tears of elation streamed down her cheeks as she threw her arms around his neck. “YES! Yes, I will marry you!”

  The room erupted again with applause. Emma brought her lips to Aidan’s. Just when he started to deepen their kiss, she pulled away to feather kisses over his cheeks, his nose, and his forehead. Finally, she brought her lips back to his.

  He pulled from their embrace to take her left hand in his. His thumb tenderly ran over her knuckles before he slid the ring on. “There. Now we’re officially engaged.”

  She giggled before grabbing him by his shirt and jerking him to her again. As she kissed him passionately, he laughed against her lips. “Em, you do remember we’re in a room full of people, right?”

  She squealed and then pulled away. Laughter echoed around them. “That’s a mighty fine yes, don’t you all agree?” he called the crowd.

  “Hell yeah!” Connor called from his table.

  Emma covered her face in embarrassment. Fortunately, the band leader came over and took the microphone back. “How about a song for the newlyweds and the newly engaged couple?” he asked.

  “No! I don’t want to take away anything from Casey
’s day,” Emma protested.

  “Babe, she and Nate knew all about this. That’s what I called to ask her about.”

  “Really?” Emma then glanced past Aidan to where Casey stood with a broad grin on the dance floor. When Emma raised her brows questioningly, Casey nodded and then blew her a kiss. Looking for Nate’s approval, he smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

  “Okay then. Let’s dance.”

  Aidan then led her out onto the floor. As she brought her arms around his neck, she couldn’t help but stare in wonderment at her ring. From time to time as they swayed to the music, she would momentarily forget about it until the light caught the diamond, and it sparkled back at her. She felt the urge to pinch herself to make sure it hadn’t all been some wonderful dream.

  “You like it?”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  Aidan beamed. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so Connor helped me pick it out.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “He has damn good taste.” A grin cut across his face. “Of course, each time I tried to go for a cheaper ring, he liked to remind me of things from our past.”

  Emma laughed. “I don’t think I even want to know what all he said to induce you into buying such a large diamond.”

  “He should think of a side career for the CIA. His powers of persuasion are intense.”

  The song then came to a close. “All right everyone. It’s time to cut the cake. Does anyone wanna put good money on the fact that Nate will be drenched in icing in about two seconds?” the bandleader questioned to a chorus of laughter and catcalls.

  After the cake was cut and everyone stuffed themselves on the sugary, decadent deliciousness, Emma once again returned to the dance floor with Aidan. As they swayed to the music, Aidan smiled down at her. “So future Mrs. Fitzgerald, when are we going to tie the knot?”

  Emma tilted her head to the right, lost in thought. “As much as I’d like to not be pregnant in a wedding gown, I want us to do it before Noah’s born.”

  “Ah, legitimize the Little Man and all, huh?”

  She giggled. “Exactly.”

  “Do you want something like this?” he asked, motioning around the swanky ballroom.

  Emma wrinkled her nose. “I had something like this planned many years ago.” Aidan tensed at her alluding to her wedding with Travis. “I want something simple with just our closest family and friends.” She glanced up at him. “We could get married at my church and have the reception at the barn.”

  Aidan inhaled sharply. “Pop’s gonna shit a brick when I don’t get married in the Catholic church.”

  “Then we can think of something else.”

  “What about the meadow that overlooks the pond?”

  “You don’t think it’ll be too cold?”

  “We’ll keep the ceremony short and sweet,” Aidan joked.

  Emma grinned. “Okay, that sounds good. Then we can have the reception in the barn. Will that suit you better?”

  “All I care about is the part where you say ‘I do’ and become my wife.” Aidan brought his lips to hers. When she darted her tongue in his mouth and pressed herself against him, Aidan pulled away in surprise. “Are you trying to start something with me, Ms. Harrison?”

  Not taking her eyes off of his, she bobbed her head. “Take me upstairs.”

  “You’re joking?”

  “Do you want me to beg?”

  “Emma,” he growled.

  “Aidan,” she began sweetly, “Will you please take me upstairs to our big rented suite and make love to me until I pass out from exhaustion?”

  His eyes widened like she had lost her mind. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “Would you rather me be dirty and say please take me upstairs and fuck me until I pass out from exhaustion?” she teased.

  “You’re killing me, Em. Absolutely and completely killing me.”

  “Then do something about it.”

  “Aren’t we supposed to stay until Casey and Nate leave?”

  “Nate’s family is Italian. They’re going to be drinking and partying until two in the morning.”

  Aidan’s blonde brows furrowed. “Like Mafia Italian?”

  Emma giggled. “I don’t think so.” She nudged him playfully. “Just go on over and make them an offer they can’t refuse on taking your fiancée upstairs to consummate your engagement.”

  He scowled at her. “You’re supposed to consummate a marriage, not an engagement.”

  “Fine. I’ll do it.” Emma took his hand and led him off the dance floor.

  “At least the crowd is thinning out,” Aidan noted.

  “What are you so worried about?”

  “I just don’t want to piss Casey and Nate off. They’ve already been forgiving and generous enough to agree to share their day with my proposal.”

  When they walked over, Casey was licking the icing off Nate’s cheek where she had previously smashed him with it. Emma leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Casey grinned broadly and nodded her head. Aidan shot Nate a helpless look to which Nate winked. “I gotcha man,” he mouthed.

  Emma tugged on Aidan’s hand. “All right, Big Daddy, you can take me upstairs and ravish me now.”

  He chuckled. “If I had known putting a rock on your hand would have made you this playful, I would have done it a helluva lot sooner.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  As they stepped onto the empty elevator, Emma took Aidan off guard by shoving him against the wall. “Em, what—”

  She cut him off by crushing her lips to his. Taking his hands in hers, she jerked them above his head and pinned them against the wall. Her tongue thrust into his mouth, greedily seeking out his own and rubbing tantalizingly over it. A low groan erupted deep in his throat. Clasping both of his hands in her one, Emma trailed her other hand down his chest and below his waist to cup his growing erection.

  He tore his lips away from hers. Panting, he stared into her emerald greens eyes that burned with desire. “Emma Harrison, are you trying to rape me in this elevator?”

  Squeezing his cock, she raised her eyebrows at him. “I didn’t think you could rape the willing?”

  He chuckled. “Good point.” As she worked his length over his pants, her lips went to kiss a warm trail up his neck. He shivered as she licked along his jaw-line. “Let me guess. This extremely horny moment was made possible by pregnancy hormones?”

  Her giggle vibrated against his cheek. “Yes, it was. Ugh, they’re insane.” She released his member and pulled away. “I think I’m starting to understand what it’s like to be you.”

  Throwing his head back, Aidan roared with laugher. “You mean what it feels like to be a horndog?”

  Wide-eyed, she replied, “Uh-huh.”

  “Then why did you pull away?”

  “Well, because—”

  “That wasn’t me complaining, babe.”

  She grinned as she ran her hands up the front of his tux. “So you don’t mind being molested in a public elevator?”

  “Nope. In fact, I was enjoying it a lot.”

  The elevator dinged, and the doors opened on their floor. “Guess we’ll have to continue this in our suite,” Emma said.

  Aidan slipped off his tux jacket and brought it in front of his waist to hide his condition. Although he enjoyed the hell out of Emma being so aggressive in the elevator, it somewhat wrecked his plans for the evening. There would be no slow seduction scene as an engaged couple considering he was at half mast.

  Emma took the keycard from him and unlocked the door. He held his breath as she stepped inside. “Oh my God,” she murmured.

  He craned his neck to watch as her heels tapped across the rose petals littering the floor. On the table, there was a bucket of champagne and strawberries. Even though he couldn’t see her face, he knew her gaze was taking in the bedroom where candles waited to be lit, and a pink wrapped package sat on the bed.

  She whirled around to stare at him in the doorway. “It�
��s just like…”

  He smiled. “Our first time.”

  Tears shimmered in her eyes as she closed the gap between them. This time when she kissed him it was with love, not passion. “I love you so, so much, Aidan,” she murmured against his lips.

  “I love you too.”

  Pulling away, she cocked her head at him. “I’m not even going to ask what’s in that box because I can’t believe you found lingerie to fit me.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You act like you’re some wide load. All you have to show for being pregnant is your bump.” He brought his hand to her stomach. “You’re the sexiest, most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “Aw, baby, you’re so sweet.” She leaned up to nip his bottom lip with her teeth. “But you don’t have to keep complimenting me because you’re so getting laid tonight.”

  He grunted. “You and that mouth.”

  She grinned. “Well, you’re stuck with it, so you better enjoy it.”

  “Oh, I’ll enjoy it, and so will many parts of my body.”

  “Naughty, naughty boy,” she murmured before kissing him again.

  Aidan kicked the door shut while Emma nudged him toward the bedroom. When they passed the table with the strawberries and champagne flutes, he stopped. Desperately wanting to savor the moment, he said, “Wait, a minute babe.”

  “What is it?”

  “Why don’t I pop open some bubbly and celebrate our engagement?” he asked.

  Emma’s auburn brows furrowed. “But I can’t—”

  Aidan turned the bottle around to reveal it was only sparkling cider, sending a beaming smile on Emma’s face. “Oh, I love it. You thought of everything.”

  He started unwrapping the bottle, but Emma took it away from him. “Let’s save it for later.” Her fingers then went to the buttons on his shirt.

  “You don’t want some cider first?” he questioned, amusement vibrating in his voice.

  She stared up at him—a mixture of love and lust radiating in her eyes. “No. I just want to make love to my fiancée.”

  “I like the sound of that,” he replied as she pushed his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. “I’ll like it even better when you’re Mrs. Aidan Fitzgerald.”