Blue Forever (Men in Uniform) (25 page)

Shock made her jaw drop. “Really?” she managed.

“Yeah. And one of the biggest pieces of baggage comes in the form of a fairly large trust fund which entails upon my marriage.” He blew out a breath. “It’ll be my responsibility to choose something to do with that money, and to manage and increase it for the next generation. Because of the situation with my father, up until I met you I avoided even the idea of marriage, so I wouldn’t have to deal with any of it.”

A million emotions cascaded through her eyes, ending with uncertainty. “I, um . . . Wow.”

“Yeah.” He took a cleansing breath. “DeAnne, you have taught me so much about what courage really is, and about myself, and what I truly want out of life. And . . . well, about taking responsibility instead of avoiding it.” He squeezed her hands. “I need to go back to my family and accept my rightful place with them. And there’s nothing I want more than for you to come with me and share the burdens and the joys of that position with me, as my wife.”

Her lips parted.

He winced. “Shit. I just blew it and proposed, didn’t I?”

She pulled a hand from his and covered her mouth, both crying and laughing at the same time. “Yeah, I think you did. Want to take it back?”

“Hell, no. Not in a million years.”

She slid into his arms and put hers around him, holding him in an embrace that he felt through his whole body, clear to his very soul.

“In that case, yes. I’ll go with you and help you through it all, and be your emotional rock, the same way you’ve been mine since the moment I met you.” She smiled up at him through her happy tears. “And when your ribs have healed and we’re back home, remember you still owe me that date.”

“Oh, I’ll remember,” he assured her, and leaned in to give her a long, tender kiss. A wonderful kiss to seal their love and their future together.

Then he brushed the tears from her cheeks with a thumb. “I love you, DeAnne. More than I ever thought was possible.”

“I love you, too, Kiptyn Llowell. I trust you with my life and my heart, and I know you’ll always be there for me. Believe me when I say I’ll always be there for you, too. No matter what you decide to do with your life, and your family, and your career, I’ll always be by your side, your biggest fan and supporter.”

His prayers had been answered.

Kip felt the sting behind his eyes, and thought for a moment he’d lose it right there. The big, tough Marine was on the verge of tears because this incredible woman was willing to trust him with her heart and her hand. He felt humbled and blessed, and knew without a doubt, he was the luckiest man in the world.

“Love me like that forever,” he whispered.

She reached up and kissed him. “Forever and always.”