Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
I gasp because now I’m quite sure what’s going to happen. I had started to have my suspicions, of course, but I hadn't dared hope they could be true. Now this is confirmation.
"Bella, since everyone is celebrating love and Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, I figured there would be no better time to ask you this question I’ve been wanting to ask you for a year now. Will you marry me?" he asks.
He holds up the hugest diamond ring I’ve ever seen and then places it on my finger.
I nod my head, afraid that I’ll start crying happy tears if I try to talk. He holds the microphone up in front of me and I manage to speak the word "yes," into it. That one little word sounds huge as it echoes all throughout the stadium.
Immediately the crowd erupts into cheers as Steve stands and kisses me. I fight back my tears once again as we kiss. He puts his arms around me and our daughter, pulling us into a hug.
I almost feel like I’m in a dream because I can’t believe how well everything has turned out. I never would have believed in a million years that my life would have turned out so great.
And yet the fact that everyone is here, and that I can actually feel Felicity’s hands squeezing my arms, means that this is really happening. It’s not like I’ll pinch myself and not feel it. I’m here feeling everything and knowing that this is my life.
And what a great life this is.
Steve’s other teammates come up and congratulate both of us. Derek joins us on the field as well and Steve introduces him into the microphone as his best friend, Felicity’s uncle, my uncle, his future brother-in-law, and the future coach of the college team.
The crowd goes wild again and Derek smiles sheepishly. But I can tell he’s happy. He deserves to be, after all that he’s done for me throughout the years.
After that, Steve, Felicity and I make our way back to the locker room where we can celebrate in private. I call Janice and give her the news.
“Yes!” she says. “I’m so happy for you. But I already knew, because I was watching the game in my dorm. That’s such an amazing way for him to propose. But I would expect nothing less from Steve!”
“Thanks,” I tell her. “Seriously, thanks again for everything. I could never be able to repay you.”
“You already have,” she says, “by being happy. As my best friend, that’s all I want for you. And for little CiCi!”
That’s the nickname she’s given to Felicity. She still sees her pretty often but now she’s back in college, feeling better about her ability to focus on finishing it all up now that she successfully helped me birth Felicity and got me through those early newborn days before reuniting me with Steve.
I’ve been taking classes virtually while living with him in New York. I should finish my degree in a couple years, and then we’ll work on making that sibling for Felicity, which we’ll name after Derek.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon,” I tell her. “Study hard. And happy Valentine’s Day!”
“Well, single people like me don’t really celebrate that,” she says. “But things might be looking up in that department…”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, happy to hear that she may have found someone at long last.
She’s always been picky about who she dates— and for good reason. Janice is an amazing person with so much to offer someone. And she’s gorgeous, too.
“Maybe. Fingers crossed. I’ll tell you more about it later. When you’re not busy celebrating your brand-new engagement and your fiancé winning the Super Bowl again.”
“Okay, my fingers will stay crossed. Talk soon!” I say and then hang up.
My fiancé.
The word feels so good to think about. And the big, shiny diamond ring looks so amazing on my finger. I can’t help but stare at it for a second longer before putting my phone back in my pocket.
Today is certainly a memorable and magical day because all my dreams have come true. Not only has Steve won the Super Bowl again but things have completely worked out between all of us. I have my family and I'm complete.
My brother is okay with our relationship. Steve has repaired his friendship with him. Our daughter is growing and is very happy.
And now I'm going to get married to the man of my dreams. I never in a million years thought that would be possible. To think it all started with that one hot night at my graduation party that was only supposed to end there because it was also Steve’s going away party and we thought there was no way Derek would let us be together.
I was right to always feel that there had always been some sort of deep connection between Steve and me. I'm glad that I never truly gave up on it. Deep down, I always hoped that things would work out and resolve themselves. Now I'm glad that they have.