Madam President (76 page)

Lauren smiled wistfully. "And now I can't predict the future any better than I could back then." She grabbed Dev's hand and pressed it to her chest, directly over her heart. "But I can't imagine loving you," she smiled warmly, "or your kids more. If anyone's got a shot at forever, Devlyn, it's us."

Blue eyes twinkled, and a slender, dark eyebrow arched. "Yeah. That's exactly what I was going to say. You just beat me to it."

Lauren burst out laughing.

The President gave Lauren's ring a little tug. "Does it fit all right? I had to guess at your ring size. We can have it resized if we need to."

Lauren was about to wipe away the renewed tears that shimmered in her eyes, threatening to fall. But they were happy tears, and such a rare and wonderful occurrence she let them fall. She wiggled the ring with her thumb. It was a bit loose, but wouldn't come off. "It's a little big." Grey eyes found Dev's. "But that's good, right? I've always heard your fingers get bigger as you get older." A sniff. "So this should be fine, and since I don't intend on taking it off, I'll live with it "as is'."

"Okay, but-"

Lauren's eyes suddenly widened. "Shit!" she exclaimed loudly, causing Devlyn to jump back.

"What?!"

"I was supposed to get you a ring, wasn't I?" Lauren threw her hands up in disgust. "I didn't even... Oh, God, I didn't think or plan-"

Dev chuckled, gathering her into her arms. "Sweetheart, the ring isn't the important part of the proposal. The words are. And you had the courage to say the words. That's all that matters. And what matters to me is that, when I march up to that altar, you'll be there."

Lauren grabbed Devlyn's shirt and pulled her forward into a searing kiss. When the kiss ended, and they separated, a happy laugh bubbled up from inside Lauren. She cupped Dev's cheeks and looked directly into beautiful, blue eyes, seeing the spirit that had captured her so completely. "That's one thing you don't need to worry about, darlin'. I'll be there."
 

THE END

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