Fate did funny things in life and sometimes in twisted ways. I was going to have a second chance at having a child, but there was a possibility that I could lose the child, or Becca...or both. What the f**k was I suppose to do? There was no decision to make. Becca’s life came first.

“I’m taking you home, Becca. We’ll get through this.”

Chapter 24

Becky

After breakfast, Matthew gathered my suitcases and opened the front door. “It was nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of Becca for me.” Matthew shook Tanner’s hand.

Tanner let out a small sigh and his eyes twinkled. “Becca is so lucky. And it was my pleasure. She’s a special friend.”

“Yes she is,” Matthew agreed and rubbed my back.

“Even wearing your clothes from yesterday, you still smell delicious,” Tanner added, making Matthew’s eyes widen a bit.

“Yeah...umm...I was only thinking of bringing Becca home. I didn’t bring anything with me.”

Tanner sighed again. “What a man.” His body shook a little. “I’m so glad you worked things out¸ but I’m going to miss my girl.” Tanner gave me a tight squeeze and kissed me on my cheek. “My place is always available. And if things don’t work out, you know where to find me.”

“I will, but you don’t have to worry. Things will work out.” I smiled at Matthew, who was looking back at me with loving eyes.

“Oh, honey, I wasn’t talking to you. I meant the hunk that I can’t keep my eyes away from.”

Matthew and I couldn’t help but laugh. I was just glad Matthew was able to find humor in this situation.

“You need to put some cucumber on your eyes to get rid of the puffiness from all of that crying,” Tanner suggested.

“I will. And you stay well. Call me if you want to come visit Los Angeles.”

“Not any time soon, but I will some day.”

With one last hug from me, and even a hug from Matthew, Tanner’s door closed behind us. I couldn’t wait to see Jenna. We had a lot of catching up to do.

Becky

“I don’t think this is the way to the airport.” I gazed out the taxi window, admiring the city for the last time.

Matthew kissed my fingers and placed both our hands on his thigh. “We’re taking a detour.”

“Where are we going?”

Matthew curled his lips into a wicked grin. “Like the readers who love to find book boyfriends would say...to show you something that is swoon worthy.”

I smiled from ear to ear. He was so freakin’ adorable, and he said the most, ‘I want to drop my panties for you’ things. “Really? I can’t wait.”

The taxi driver pulled over and we got out. I didn’t see much except the bridge. Matthew took my hand and led us there, where I saw locks of various sizes and colors taking up every inch of the bridge. We were standing at Pont des Arts near the Louvre.

“What are we doing here?” I asked. However, I was so overwhelmed with what I was seeing that I didn’t notice the lock and key in front of me until Matthew snapped me out of it.

“Becca, look.” The lock and key was plain and silver. It was one of the biggest locks I had ever seen. To my surprise, Matthew was down on one knee.

“Matthew, get up. What are you doing?” I glanced around to see if anyone was watching, and sure enough there were a few, but they quickly turned away when we met eye to eye.

“When I decided to come here and take you home, knowing I was going to Paris, I bought this lock and key. I wanted to bring you here and show you how much you mean to me. How much I am committed to us. But now the situation has changed. I’m going to be a father. We are going to be parents.”

“I don’t know, Matthew. The baby might not survive.” It pained me greatly to say this.

“I have faith, Becca, but no matter what, you come first. Fate has given us a second chance and we’ll both face whatever obstacles await us. We are both fighters. We are both stubborn. We were meant for each other. I love you, Becca. This isn’t how I had imagined I would do this, but since we are in Paris, this was my chance. Becky Miller, would you do me the honor of being my wife? I want to spend the rest of my life with you...children or no children. I want to have something forever with you. Will you marry me?”

Tears were streaming down my face while my body quivered from words that were escaping from Matthew’s mouth so fast, I wasn’t sure if what I heard was real. I dropped my hand that was covering my mouth from shock. Though I had imagined Matthew proposing to me many times before, I never could have imagined that it would feel like this. I was high. My heart expanded to its fullest and I felt a rush of indescribable joy.

“Becca, say something.” Matthew looked worried.

“Yes,” I whispered. I cleared my throat because I was pretty sure Matthew hadn’t heard me. In fact, I wasn’t sure if I’d answered out loud. “Yes!” I said, a little bit louder.

Matthew jumped up. “She said yes,” he bellowed, and swung me around. There was so much happiness in Matthew’s tone and in his kisses.

“But we can’t get married. I mean...let’s wait. I mean …” Oh God! I was messing this up. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “I want to marry you, but I don’t want to rush this.”

“Whatever you want. We can get married before or after the baby is born. Even if something happens, I still want to marry you, Becca. I’ve known I wanted to marry you from the moment you told me that you wouldn’t date me if I was the last man in the universe.”