Overtime(148)

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 f*ck 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.

Her evermore.



It was a girl.

A sweet, perfect little girl that from the 4-D ultrasound appeared as if she may look like Jordie. One thing was sure, she had some hockey shoulders. The tech said it looked like she had hair, which he knew would be dark like theirs. Jordie had hoped that it was a boy, but knowing that it was a girl, something inside him just felt right. As he watched the different angles of his child, he silently promised to love her more than life itself. To be there, to protect her, and to support her, no matter what.

Just like he did Kacey.

Ever since he proposed, things had been absolutely perfect. They had already fallen into an easy routine, but now, it just felt better, more complete. She was so happy, floating around as baby books and wedding magazines found new places in their home. The pictures from the shoot they had were already blown up and on the wall. His favorite being the one of him on one knee asking for her hand, her hands covering her mouth as the tears rushed down her beautiful face with her family behind them, all smiling, all so happy for them.