“And that’s my cue to leave,” I say, walking out of the room.

My dad and I read a few stories, and I sing lullabies. Although Chloe has her own, the others wanted ones of their own too. Tara and Drew prefer the typical twinkle, twinkle little star and traditional lullabies, but I’m working on finding songs that fit them as well.

When I make my way downstairs, I grab the duffle bag my mom packed me, double checking the ring is tucked inside the zipped pocket. Swinging it over my shoulders, I go in search of my girl. She’s talking with my mom when I step into the kitchen. The sight of them laughing and carrying on makes my heart swell that much more for her.

“You ready?” I call out, and Kailey immediately stands up.

“Yep,” she says, smiling widely and then turns to my mom. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asks.

“Not at all. You guys go have fun. We’ll be fine.” She ushers us out. My parents come up to Western all the time, and we come out here pretty often, so the kids are comfortable with them, and since Chloe’s nightmares have been subsiding there shouldn’t be any problems.

“I’ll have my phone—”

“GO!” My mom motions for us to leave.

I enter the garage code and head over to the key box. “Green Monster?” I ask her.

“My favorite.” She hops on the back.

We make the ride to the tree house with Kailey’s body pressed against mine while her fingers roam up my shirt. I may have made it in record time with the eagerness of having her naked in my arms and me being buried inside of her.

We climb the stairs, groping and grabbing each other while sneaking kisses at each landing. Once we get inside, I lay down the blanket, but see someone has been here before me. There are rose petals strewn across the wooden floor with two candle sticks ready to be lit next to a dish containing an assortment of small cakes and strawberries. There’s a sign taped to a switch. It reads ‘Turn on here’, so I flip the switch and hundreds of twinkle lights shine throughout the tree house.

“Trey!” she exclaims while placing her hand over her chest.

“It wasn’t me,” I admit. I didn’t ask anyone to do this, but it’s going to make this that much better!

She rushes over and sits down perusing the different cakes while I fumble around in the bag. “Oh my God, this strawberry one is so good,” she mumbles as cake crumbs fall from her mouth, but she catches them in her hand.

She looks adorable, and I can’t wait anymore. I don’t want to waste our night with the pit of my stomach in knots. I want to know she’s agreed to be mine, so we can lazily lie on this blanket, making love all night while feeding each other cake and strawberries. So, without much thought, I pull the ring out from the box and hold it tight in my hand.

Walking over, I take a seat next to her, and she feeds me part of the strawberry one. “Um … that is good. Did you try the others?” I attempt to distract her. She turns back to the plate and her head bobs back and forth, trying to decide on which one to try next. Using one hand, I turn her face toward me and distract her with a long, hard kiss while I prop the ring in one of the cakes. My heart races with excitement for what I’m about to do.

“Mmmm, you taste delicious. Maybe I should pick the next one.” We both look down at the selection of cakes, but one stands out now.

“How about that one?” I say, and her shaking hand picks up the diamond solitaire settled in white gold. She turns toward me and wetness glosses over her green gems of eyes.

“Kailey, please take me as your husband. I can promise you I’ll never give up trying to give you anything your heart desires. I know I’ll never stop loving you. You said whenever I was ready, I’m ready. What do you say, let’s take the next step in our happily ever after?” I take the ring from her hand and place it at the tip of her left ring finger.

She nods as tears fall down her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispers, and I slide the ring onto her finger.

“Thank you for trusting me with your heart,” I say, cupping her cheeks with my hands. I wipe the tears from her eyes with my thumbs, excited to take this next step with her.“Thank you for accepting it,” she stutters and more tears escape.

“I never had a choice. It’s only meant for me, just took me a while to find it.”

“I love you, Trey,” she whispers.

“I love you the very soon-to-be Mrs. Trey Michaels.” I end the talking because I need her now.

We kiss and soon clothes are being taken off. I make love to my soon-to-be wife numerous times, cherishing her body and trying to convey how much it means to me that she’s trusting me with her future.

THE NEXT MORNING, I let Kailey sleep a little while I text instructions to everyone under the sun. I glance at the plate of cakes, noticing all the strawberry ones are gone. Popping a vanilla one in my mouth, my fingers continue to type away. Today has to be a surprise, otherwise this was all for naught.

Kailey stirs, and I shove my phone in my bag, finding my way over to her. Kissing her forehead, I cozy up next her, and she nuzzles into me. “Good morning, beautiful,” I say, and she kisses my cheek.

“Good morning, handsome,” she groggily responds. “I really hope your parents can help us with the kids today because you wore me out last night.” She wraps her arms around me, and the warmth spreads from our naked bodies.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll have some relaxation time today,” I slyly say. “So, I have another question for you,” I say while my fingers gently move up and down her arm.

“No, Chloe cannot get rollerblades,” she jokes, since it’s been the argument around the house for a few weeks now.

Ignoring her, “Will you marry me?” I ask.

“Wasn’t that the question last night? Because if it wasn’t, we definitely need to work on our communication skills,” she comments, inching closer, making me hard again.

“Let me clarify. Will you marry me today?” I ask, and she bolts up.

“Today?”

“Yes,” I say, sitting up to join her.

“What? How?” She starts rambling questions as her head shakes back and forth.

“Details are all taken care of. You just need to meet me there,” I assure her.

“What about my dress?” She shuts her mouth and bites the inside of her cheek.

“You mean the dress you bought a few weeks ago?” I ask, cocking my eyebrow at her.

“How did you—”

“It doesn’t matter, but it’s arriving as we speak.”

“Did you see it?” Her face sulks down into a frown.

“No, I would never spoil the sight of you on your way down the aisle to become my wife.” I place my finger under her chin and lift it up to me. “I love you, Kailey. Become my wife this evening at five-thirty.”

She sits there on her knees, her naked body bare for me to admire. “Yes.” She encases her arms around my shoulders and I pull her down to me. “Wait, we don’t have a marriage license.”

“My parents’ pastor is going to do it, and he’ll sign off on the paperwork once we go to the court house and get the papers.”

“Oh my God, I’m getting married today!” she happily exclaims, and then she looks down at me. “To the most amazing man.” Then her lips brush against mine, but I need a little more than that before I have to share her with others. So, my hands bring her into me more, and she gladly joins me on one last time before we become Mr. and Mrs.

I SIT ON the bed in the guest room alternating between staring down at the ring Trey gave me just five hours ago and my dress that Jessa brought with her. Contemplating how changed my life has become, tears fill my eyes with a happiness I never thought I could have with anyone, let alone Trey.