#Chapter 257 – A Big One

Then, Victor opens his hand to show me perhaps the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I gasp when I see it, completely distracted from my answer.

I am not a diamond afficionado, I know nothing about carats, but all I can say is that it is…big. Huge, even, and gorgeously cut and faceted. I tear my eyes away from it, though – knowing that it doesn’t really matter, and open my mouth to say yes when suddenly –

“Stop!” Ian shouts, jumping up on the bed. “This is all wrong!”

I blink up at him, utterly surprised. What on earth could be wrong?

“Yeah!” Alvin says, jumping up with his brother, but giving him a confused little look. I realize, quite suddenly, that Alvin is supporting his brother without asking questions but that he, like me, has no idea why Ian would protest.

“What?” Victor asks, confused and perhaps a little frustrated. “Ian, why –“

“You did not ask permission!” Ian says, frowning at his dad and pointing a finger at him.

“What?” Victor repeats, a little angrier now, his brows drawing together, looking between me and the kids. I just shrug, curious. “Ian, I went to war with her father – I have him locked up in jail – I don’t think it’s quite appropriate to be going to him, now, and asking for her hand in marriage –“

“Not from grandpapa,” Ian says, his little face stern. I look at my son curiously, realizing that he’s quite serious. This is not a game to him, or a prank. I put my hand on Victor’s knee, giving him a little nudge in his mind to let him know to hear him out. Victor, I can tell, is a little frustrated at being interrupted, but Ian’s emotions are valid too.

Victor glances at me and then looks back up at our sons. “All right,” he says quietly, with the patience of a saint. “Then who was I supposed to ask?”

“Us,” Ian replies, his voice suddenly choked a little as he points between Alvin and himself. “She is our mama, she has been ours from the start, even when you weren’t around.” Neither Victor nor I bother to point out that was my choice, because we can both see the real emotion in Ian’s face. Alvin, too, realizes what his brother is saying, his little eyes filling with tears.

“We have been protecting her – we have been loving her and keeping here safe while we waited for you. If you want to marry our mama,” Ian continues, his voice catching now as his eyes fill with tears, “you need to ask us if we think it is okay.”

My eyes shift to Alvin then, who has twin lines of tears on his cheeks, his little lip trembling. “It’s okay, papa,” Alvin cries loyally, throwing himself into his father’s arms. “You don’t have to ask me – it’s okay – you can marry her –“

on my cheeks, a flood of love for my boys threatening to undo me. “Thank you, Alvin,” Victor murmurs,

“I’m sorry that I didn’t think to ask you for permission to marry your mom. But you’re right – you two have taken such good care of her for six years. It’s only right. So, what do you think, kid? Can

a little as I watch Ian look his father up and

his confirmation, still hugging

her lots of money and make

Victor confirms. I can see him work hard

first choice of deserts every night after

narrows his eyes at this. “Don’t push it,

lifting his chin a little. “We’ll discuss that

graciously and opens one of his arms to make space for Ian in Alvin’s hug, and Ian jumps into his father’s lap, laying his head against his chest and smiling as Victor closes that arm back around him, holding

to me. “Well, Evelyn? What do

to revisit

and shakes his head. “Please, Evie, the three of you

my hands. “Yes,” I murmur, planting a firm kiss on his mouth. “Of course, Victor.

obligingly scatter away, and pulls me into his lap, kissing me with a deep happiness that radiates through both of us. Though I don’t look at them, concentrating on my fiancé, I hear the boys cheering and jumping on the bed in celebration next to us, Archie barking and eagerly jumping along with them.

beaming into my face, and opens his hand again to show me that ring. Obligingly, I put out my left hand and let him slip it onto my finger. I take a moment to admire it, but then I’m kissing him again,

my stomach as Victor kisses me

one change is enough

I’d like to keep my little secret to

reaching his hands

with those cool swords!” Ian joins in, punching his fists and then pretending to stab and parry as

and pulling me tight against him. “They’re going to be dangerous with those

now. ‘Six Stabbed at Kensington

asks, holding up my left hand so that we can both see the ring.

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