All She Ever Wanted - Barbara Freethy [134]
"Propose?" he asked, as he opened the box and showed her a beautiful diamond ring. "That's exactly what I'm going to do. Will you marry me, Natalie? Will you make me the happiest man in the world?"
She stared at his face, at his strong, handsome face, and knew without a doubt that this was the one and only man she'd ever wanted to spend her life with. "This can't be happening."
"It's definitely happening. We just need an answer to make it really good."
"Yes," she said. "Yes."
Cole slipped the ring on her finger, then pulled her up against his chest and kissed her as if he never intended to stop. The sound of applause brought their kiss to an abrupt end, as they realized they'd become the center of attention.
"She finally said yes," Cole told the crowd.
"You finally asked," she retorted, and despite their audience, she couldn't stop herself from kissing him again. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Cole."
"Let's start right now."
"Or maybe somewhere more private," she suggested.
He laughed. "I can't make any promises, unless you run really fast."
"I will," she promised, as they took off down the path.
They were breathless by the time they reached her apartment. Cole slammed the door shut and reached for her. "Someday we're going to do this slow."
"But not this day," she said, pulling his shirt up and over his head. "Because I've waited long enough to have you, and I don't intend to wait another second."
"I like the way you think." He stopped her as she reached for his pants. "One second."
"What now?" she asked with a groan.
"I want you to know, really know, that this is it for me. I'm not going to leave you, ever. You're my family now, Natalie. You and me, and whatever kids we decide to have. The past is gone. The future is ours."
Her eyes blurred with tears. "Boy, when you finally start talking, you do it right."
"Love me?"
"Forever," she said, sealing her promise with a long, passionate kiss.
Epilogue
Natalie and Cole snuck into the back of the Atherton Community Center just as the orchestra began to warm up at seven o'clock Sunday evening. Madison, who was sitting with Dylan, waved them over to two empty seats beside her.
"I didn't think you were going to make it, Natalie," Madison said with an arch to her eyebrow. "And look who you've brought. Isn't that interesting? I guess the skywriting worked."
"You saw that?" Natalie asked.
"I think all of San Francisco saw it. So are you happy?"
"Ecstatic. We're engaged," Natalie said, flashing her ring.
"Nice," Madison said to Natalie, then nodded approval at Cole. "You finally did the right thing."
"I finally did," Cole agreed. He sent Madison and Dylan a curious look. "I'm surprised to see you two together. What have I missed?"
"I was going to ask the same question," Natalie said. Not that she really needed an answer. She could see the happiness in Madison's eyes.
"We're on our first date," Madison said with a grin. "He finally asked. It took him only ten years. The men in San Francisco are a little slow."
"But we're worth the wait," Dylan drawled.
"Damn right," Cole added, giving Natalie a delicious smile. "I can prove it later."
"I might take you up on that," she murmured. As she sat back in her chair, she felt ridiculously happy. She had a feeling Dylan and Madison were going to find their way to a good place—which only left Laura. Laura looked gorgeous in the front row of the orchestra, wearing a pretty black dress and holding her flute. She saw Natalie and waved, her smile proud and confident. Then she tipped her head toward the front row where Drew and two adorable little girls, who looked exactly like their mother, were sitting. Drew turned and nodded in their direction. His expression was cool but not filled with the animosity it had once held. He'd changed, too. They all had.
The lights dimmed, and the conductor motioned for the orchestra to begin.
The music was beautiful, emotional, haunting, and when the flutes played, Natalie