Rush (Breathless #1)(120)

He took the box from her hand and pulled the ring free. Then he picked up her left hand and slid the glittering diamond onto her third finger.

The crowd erupted around them, and then Gabe pulled her into his embrace, his mouth hard and fierce over hers. She clung just as fiercely to him, absorbing this moment, committing it to memory. It was one she’d never forget as long as she lived.

When she and Gabe were old and gray, she’d remember this night and play it over and over. It would be a story to tell their children, their daughters.

And then she realized she had no idea if he even wanted children.

“I want babies,” she blurted out.

Then she blushed wildly as she realized how far her voice had carried in the crowd. There was laughter around them and one called out loudly, “Give them to her, man!”

Gabe smiled, his expression so tender that it melted her heart and warmed her so thoroughly that she didn’t even register the cold.

“I want babies too,” he said huskily. “Daughters as beautiful as you are.”

She smiled so wide she thought surely her lips would split.

“I love you, Mia,” he said, his voice gruff and uncertain. He looked so vulnerable there on his knees in front of her. “I’m going to love you forever. I hope that’s good enough for you. I’ve done so much wrong since you came into my life, but I swear to you that I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. No one will ever love you more than I do.”

Tears leaked down her cheeks as she stared back at the man who’d humbled himself in front of her and half of New York City.

“I love you too, Gabe. I’ve always loved you,” she returned softly. “I’ve waited most of my life for you.”

He slowly stood and then lowered his hand to help her to her feet. Then he pulled her into his embrace and held on tightly as the music began around them.

“I’ve waited just as long for you, Mia. Maybe I didn’t always know what I was missing, but it was you. Always you.”

He turned them so they faced Jace and Ash. She’d forgotten all about them, and then realized that they were in on this too. She realized the enormity of them being in on it.

Joy flooded her heart, and she launched herself at Jace, nearly toppling him over as she hugged him.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “Thank you for understanding and for accepting, Jace. You can’t know how much this means to me.”

He hugged her back, emotion thick in his own voice. “I love you, baby girl, and I just want you to be happy. Gabe has convinced me that he’s the man for the job. That’s all any big brother can ask for.”

She turned and threw herself into Ash’s arms and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you too, you big lug. And thank you for helping me through these past weeks.”

Ash grinned and kissed her cheek before releasing her back to Gabe. Then he ruffled her hair affectionately. “Anything for you, kiddo. We just want you to be happy. And well, I want to be the baby’s godfather.”

Jace scowled. “Oh hell no. That’s my job. I’m the kid’s uncle.”

Mia rolled her eyes and squeezed herself into Gabe’s side as Ash and Jace started arguing. Gabe chuckled and then tightened his hold around her waist. He smiled down at her, his love shining brighter than the star atop the Rockefeller tree.

“What do you say we go home and practice giving them a baby to fight over?”