Chapter 9 - The Ballroom Announcement and the Ring
Julian reached into the inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
My heart did a violent, joyful flip against my ribs.
He didn't drop to one knee—the heavy wool rug on the balcony wasn't built for theatrics—but his hands trembled slightly as he popped open the lid. Inside rested a ring crafted of platinum and delicate white diamonds, glittering like ice under the winter sky, featuring a small, brilliant center stone flanked by two tiny, perfect stars.
"Sophie asked me this morning if I was going to make it official so we could officially start calling this apartment our permanent home," Julian said, his voice thick with emotion. "And I realized I couldn't imagine a single day for the rest of my life without the two of you anchoring me."
Tears spilled over my lashes, hot and bright against the cold air. I didn't hesitate.
"Yes," I whispered, my voice breaking with happiness. "Yes, Julian. A million times, yes."
He slid the ring onto my finger, and as his lips met mine, the fireworks over Central Park burst into the night sky, painting the clouds in brilliant flashes of gold, crimson, and blue.
Ten minutes later, as we stepped back inside the ballroom, a loud cheer went up from the crowd. Standing by the stage in a gorgeous velvet red dress was Sophie, holding a microphone with a mischievous grin plastered across her face.
May you like
"Attention everyone!" Sophie announced into the PA system, her voice echoing across the grand hall. "My mom and Julian are officially getting married! And that means I get a puppy, a big sister room, and the best dad in the whole wide world!"
The entire ballroom erupted into laughter and applause. Julian threw his head back and laughed—a sound so full of pure, unadulterated joy that it drowned out every ghost of our pasts. He pulled me against his side, wrapping his arm around my waist, while Sophie ran across the polished floor to throw her arms around both of us.
