Before he could speak, I took his gloved hand.
“Yes,” I said.
He blinked. “I didn’t ask yet.”
“You’ve been carrying the ring for six weeks.”
Behind us, Sophia gasped. “I knew it!”
Ethan said, “Statistically obvious.”
Olivia woke fully. “Are we getting married?”
Noah narrowed his eyes at Aaron. “This affects the chart.”
Aaron laughed, then dropped to one knee in the snow.
He did not make a speech about saving me.
He knew better.
“Kesha,” he said, voice thick with emotion, “you built a life out of courage, truth, and impossible love. I don’t want to replace anything. I want to stand where I’m invited, stay where I’m trusted, and love all five of you for as long as you’ll let me.”
My children crowded around us.
Margaret cried openly from the porch.
Daniel stood behind her, quiet and pale, but he did not look away.
