Elli snapped a picture and grinned. “Why don’t we do some with the guitar, Jordie?”

He nodded as he let her go to get it and Kacey grinned. “Are these only of you and her, or can I join in?” she asked, speaking of his guitar.

He shot her a look as he put the strap over his head and ran his fingers along the strings. “Hush, you,” he said and then he started playing, like really playing.

“What are you doing?”

“Shh,” he said again and she smiled, confused. She loved watching him play, but weren’t they supposed to be taking pictures? She understood authenticity, but really? It was getting cold out there. But then he started singing, his eyes locked on hers, and she froze.

What was he up to?

As he sang, “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton, her heart started to speed up in her chest. It was a beautiful song, and the way he sang it made her feel like it was written for her. And she loved it, she did. But why was he doing this in front of an audience? She couldn’t cry in front of them!

Looking back at Elli and Harper, she found that they were taking pictures, big grins on their faces as Jordie came toe-to-toe with her, the music vibrating her soul while he sang with all the gusto of Blake Shelton himself. When a single tear rolled down her face—because, really, how could she not cry when he was playing, obviously for her—he smiled, playing the last note with a little flair, like he always did. She loved that, but when he pushed the guitar back behind him and reached in his pocket, her heart jumped up into her throat.

“Jordie?”

He just grinned as he dropped to one knee, holding the little Tiffany’s blue box in his hand as he looked up at her. “As the song said, Kacey, God gave me you to make me better, to help me love life, and to be a better person not only for Him, but for you. I do all these things because of you, because of all the love and support you give me. I have wanted to marry you since the moment I saw you, but I was too scared to think that I could have the happily ever after everyone talked about. I thought it wasn’t in my cards, I thought that it was unattainable, but you proved me wrong. You give me that happily ever after every day. And there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t fall even more in love with you,” he said, his voice breaking with the last word. Her lip started to wobble as her vision blurred from the tears in her eyes. They hadn’t even spoken of marriage or anything—she’d just assumed they’d do it sooner or later. But apparently sooner was here because Jordie slowly opened the box, his eyes on hers as he whispered, “You are my best friend, my lover, my heart and soul. I couldn’t live the life I wanted without you, and it would be my honor if you’d marry me.” He sucked in a deep breath as the tears rushed down her face, probably ruining her makeup, but she didn’t care. Her eyes were set on this gorgeous man who was slowly opening the box, his eyes still on hers and his heart in his eyes. She didn’t even see the ring, all she saw was him as he asked, “So Kacey Marie King, will you do me a favor and help me write my happily ever after by being my wife?”

Her lip started to wobble, and out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention. When she glanced over, she saw that Lacey, Karson, Mena, her mom, and dad were standing there. Of course, her mom and Lacey were crying as they waited for her answer. Looking back down at Jordie, her heart was in her throat and she was rendered speechless. She had pictured the moment when Jordie would propose, and she had honestly thought he would throw the ring at her and tell her, “Let’s do this.” It was his style, but that was old Jordie. New Jordie wanted her to know how much she meant to him. He made sure her family was there, that there were photographers to document the moment they’d tell their little one about when it was older, but most of all, he spoke from his heart.

His big, beautiful heart.

“Yes, Jordie. God, yes,” she said finally, and he exhaled the breath he was holding before she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him hard as the tears rolled down her face. Hugging her tightly, he stood up and kissed her over and over again, her heart flying as he leaned his head against hers.

“I’m gonna make you the happiest woman ever. I’m gonna take your breath away daily and make you smile. But I’ll probably fuck up every once in the while—”

“And I’ll still love you,” she whispered, her lips moving against his. “I’ll always love you.”

He sucked in a breath, letting it out again before kissing her nose. Leaning back, he took the ring out of the box and slid it down her ring finger. It was a little loose, but she couldn’t get over how big and sparkly it was. It was perfect. He was perfect.

Cupping his face, she beamed up at him as she bounced on her toes. “Thank you.”

He scoffed. “Please, I should be thanking you,” he said roughly, his voice breaking with emotion. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it weren’t for your support. This ring, this love I give you, will never be enough. You deserve the world.”

Leaning her head to his, she looked deep into his eyes as she moved her nose along his. “And you give it to me, Jordie. Every day.”

Smirking at her, he held her gaze and said, “And to think it’s only the beginning.”

“I don’t ever want it to end,” she whispered and his grip on her tightened.

“It never will,” he promised, and as everyone surrounded them, congratulating them and hugging them, she couldn’t stop staring at him.