I can understand why he'd be concerned. It's rare that I show up without Lucy, or that I even knock these days.

His gaze comes back to me as he looks me up and down, and whatever he sees in my face has him smiling again.

"Come in," he says, jerking his head inside the house.

It's quiet, quieter than I've ever heard it. I look around, but I can't see any of the boys. He must read my mind, because he informs, "Virginia took the boys to the lake for the afternoon."

I nod, even though he can't see me.

He leads me to his office where he motions for me to take a seat. He sits on the other side of the desk I designed for him. He's still smiling and I don't know why. I haven't said a word. I've tried. When he opened the door, I tried. I tried again as he was leading me down the hallway into this room. I even opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

I squirm in the seat, trying to adjust my position. I want to look tough, like I'm in control. I square my shoulders and lift my chin. Then I open my mouth... nothing.

His smile gets wider. He unlocks his desk drawer and pulls out a little black box.

"I was wondering when you'd come around," he says.

I still can't speak.

"This is her mom's."

And my heart beats out of my chest.

"When do you plan on doing it?"

I swallow down my nerves and man up.

"I was hoping to do it September twenty-fifth, sir."

His eyes go wide.

"I thought it would be nice if you and the boys, and your wife were there to witness it."

His eyes glaze over as he nods once. "It sounds perfect, son."

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-FIFTH

I'm so fucking nervous my eye begins to twitch. Twitchy, that's probably what the boys would nickname me for a year.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to get it to stop. Surely I must look crazy right now—suited up, standing under a random tree, yards away from a huge family paying respect to their lost mother and wife.

I blow out a breath. I need to calm down.

Pressing my palm against my chest, I close my eyes and start counting in my head. It doesn't seem to get better.

Then I feel a tiny hand brush against my leg and fingers wrap around mine.

I open one eye and look down at Lachlan. He beams up at me, with crooked teeth on display. He's just started getting his adult teeth through. "Daddy says it's time," he whispers. Kid's cute. He won't be much longer. His older brothers have already started talking him into doing and saying some stupid shit, but I'd virtually watched him grow from a tiny baby into this boy, and soon enough, he'd be a teenager. I bet he'll be like Little Logan. That kid's a punk; his name suits him.

We walk hand in hand over to his mother's headstone.

I wanted to give them all time to pay their respects as a family. She waits at the front of the others with that same sad smile I'd gotten used to over the last six years. Six years. Holy shit.

"It'll be okay," Lachlan whispers. Then he takes off, running toward his dad. And it starts again. The nerves. The sweaty palms. The racing heart. The fucking eye twitch.

I stand in front of her, my ribs aching from the pounding of my heart against it. It feels like it could break bone and skin and rip through me at any second. I place my hand in my pocket and feel around for what I need.

"Are you okay, Cam?" Her voice drips with concern. "You look kind of pale."

I gaze up at her dad. He just nods and tries to smile. He fails, but I get it. I can't even imagine what this must feel like for him. Maybe he feels like he's about to lose the only woman left in his life, but he knows me better than that. He knows I'd never take her away.

I eye all her brothers one by one, almost as if asking for permission. No one gives me an out. I finish on Lachlan, whose smile's unchanged. He nods his head with as much enthusiasm as his seven-year-old body can muster.

Then I give all my attention to the girl in front of me.

Lucy.

She must've been following my gaze because her head slowly turns from her brothers behind her to me.

Eyes narrowed, she asks, "What's going on?"

Her gaze searches me from head to toe, and then back up again. But she doesn't get all the way up—her eyes fixate on what I'm holding. They widen. As if in slow motion, her hand comes up to cover her mouth.

I suck in a breath.

Let it out in a whoosh.

And then it happens.

I drop down on one knee. "Lucy..."

She squeals something similar to a yes before I even get a chance to ask. Lunging forward, she throws her arms around my neck—the power of her push so strong that I have to catch myself with my outstretched arm.

She's crying, and laughing.

And so am I.

"Did he even ask her?" Lachlan says.

Tom shakes his head. "I don't think there was ever really a question."

***

"I can't believe I'm wearing my mom's ring. It's so surreal."

I glance at her quickly while I drive us to Mark and Mom's house. "So I need you to do something for me."

"Anything," she says, distracted by the giant rock on her finger.

"I didn't tell them what I was planning. I was hoping for it to be a surprise."

"Okay?"

I smile. "So let's mess with Mom a little."

*

Mom opens the door and grins from ear to ear. "An unexpected visit from the prodigal son," she muses. "Come in."

"Do you have any aspirin?" Lucy asks, before stepping inside. She rubs her forehead with her left hand. "I have this giant headache that won't go away."

"Sure." Mom looks at her like moms are supposed to; concerned. But she doesn't notice the ring on her finger.

"Yeah," Lucy feigns, "and there's this ache in my chest, too." She rubs her chest with her hand.

"Oh, sweetheart," Mom coos. "Is Cameron taking care of you?"

"Uh huh." She nods and over exaggerates a yawn, covering her mouth. "I'm just tired all the time."

Still... nothing.

A frown pulls on Mom's lips as she leads us to the kitchen. We sit at the island counter while Mom busies herself with the unneeded aspirin. Lucy takes it anyway, along with the glass of water Mom set down in front of her. She turns to her side while she drinks, just so Mom has a better view of the ring.

"You look a little pale, sweetie."

Lucy's chokes on her laugh.

I shake my head at both of them. "So Mom, I tried calling Mark before we got here but his phone was engaged."

"He should be on his way home now. He had to go into the dealership real quick. I've been trying to get him to take weekends off but he won't listen." She pauses for a beat. "What's that noise?" she asks.

Lucy's clanking the ring against her glass.

"I must have a coin in the dryer, I'll be back."

We wait until she leaves the room before bursting out laughing. "How does she not see it?" Lucy asks in disbelief.

"I have no idea."

"Hey," she says, serious all of a sudden. "You didn't tell your mom?" She raises her hand and cups the side of my face. "What if she doesn't like me? Or likes me but doesn't want you to marry me?" She pouts. "What if she wants grandchil—"