I know you all just couldn't wait for this chapter ❤ trust me, I really wanted to post it 😭

Warning: it gets kind of sad 🥺
________________________________________

"What are you doing?" I hissed, staring at the many eyes on me. 

I didn't miss the excited looks on Josephine and Brendan's faces.

What in the world was happening?

Hero remained kneeling on his leg that was bound to be hurting right now. 

"Doing what I should have done a long time ago. We've been together nearly a year. You've put up with my bullshit, been with me though thick and thin, and I had nothing to show for it. You're right. I have been acting distant, but I couldn't let you know why." 

I already knew what he meant but I had to hear it for myself. 

"Why did you?" I asked, feeling my voice quiver. 

He let out a deep sigh.

"I was out, trying to find a way to show you that I love you. I wanted something more than meaningless words. I had to find the right place to do this. I want you to marry me, Kristina." 

There were the words I wanted to hear. Marry. I want you to marry me. This couldn't be real.

With a quick flourish, Hero flipped open the small velvet box revealing a large glistening rock atop a small metal band.

It was a ring. 

Fuck. I couldn't get any words out. 

"I thought that wasn't what you wanted?" I choked out.

He swallowed, preparing himself. 

"It wasn't something I ever wanted until you. You know me better than anyone and you've forced me to grow. I always knew there was something about you when we met eight months ago, Kristina. You didn't like me for what you could gain from my life. You wanted me to change and I have." 

I covered my mouth with both my hands, feeling like I could pass out at any moment.

"Are... are you sure this is what you want?" 

Hero furrowed his brows, smoldering his eyes in that sexy way. 

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

I sucked in a sharp breath, remembering that we weren't alone. 

"Hero... this is.... so inappropriate... this is your cousins wedding..."

Before he could reply, Josephine yelled out, with Niall hugging her from behind. 
 
"Quit stalling Kristina! Who do you think built this garden? This is your moment!"

When silence had descended upon us again, Hero urged me once more.

"What do you say, baby? Will you spend the rest of your life with me while we navigate all this bullshit?" 

I shielded my face with my hands, knowing there wasn't any other answer I could reply with.

I cried uncontrollably, jumping into his arms. 

"Yes, yes! Of course I will!"

As we embraced, I mentally scolded myself. That was why he'd been so distant. He'd been hunting for a ring to propose to me with.

How could I have ever doubted him? 

Oh, I definitely owed him an apology. 

As I looked around, I saw that the guests were now beginning to return inside clearly feeling bored with the events. 

The patio had neatly emptied when I saw Kylie and her lackeys still present. She didn't look mad, as I expected.

She looked hurt more than anything. She didn't even look like she was up for a fight. 

It seemed after all the back and forth she and I had done between Hero was finished.

It was as if she realized she'd lost.

She wiped at her watery eyes as she approached us, eyeing our closeness. She then eyed Hero, trying to think of what to say next. 

"What would you say the last couple of years between us was?" She whispered, sounding as broken as ever. "I swore we had something special. You protected me from.... everything. And I did the same for you. Why wasn't I enough to change you?" 

Hero glowered, releasing me from his grip.

"Can we not do this here, Kylie?" 

Kylie seemed desperate, wiping at her nose. 

"No, I deserve an explanation!" 

Before things could get more out of hand, I touched Hero's arm.

"Hey." I began. "She deserves closure. It's alright."

He nodded, instantly facing Kylie so they were face to face. 

"I've always pitied your past, Kylie. You didn't deserve it. At one time, we were what each other needed, screwing each other to numb the pain, but you have to understand you only brought chaos into my life."

When she began tossing her silky hair around and looked like she were about to argue, Hero continued. 

"The drinking, the smoking, the partying. It was always a vice of mine, but I was wrong to join the frat. I know that now. I was wrong to make you believe we had any sort of future."

Kylie cleared her throat.

"So it meant nothing? I waited for you to come around. I waited for you to realize we needed to move forward." 

Hero silently shook his head. 

"I'm sorry. There is someone for you. I'm just not the one." 

Kylie tore her eyes away from him, looking at me with a soft expression.
 
"When I met you," she said, "I was jealous and afraid that... something like this would happen. I knew you would get under his skin, but not this much. I respect you as a person though." 

She then looked at Hero once more. 

"I guess your heart does truly belong to Kristina. Even though I was there for you through thick and thin... it wasn't meant to be."

Without saying much more, Kylie and her friends entered the chapel. Though she seemed to feel closure, I wasn't so sure her friends had.

Seeing that we were alone, I simply melted into Hero's arms, savoring this moment. 

"So what now?" He asked. 

I sighed. "We take it slow. I don't want us to hurry into anything. Actually, I need to take a breath. I'm going to head to the parking lot. Give me a minute?"
 
After giving me a swift kiss, Hero left, heading inside. Still reminiscing on what happened, I couldn't believe he picked me. Out of all people. 

As I danced around the many guests, who congratulated me as I passed, I eyed the room for my parents. During all this, I'd been too busy to find them.

By chance, I caught them mingling by Nialls parents in deep conversation. I rushed over, extending my arms for a hug. 

Barely giving me time to breath, my mother pounced on me.

"I hear you have something to tell me?" She demanded, placing both her hands on her hips. 

With a glance at Tawnee, I smiled. 

"Um... Hero proposed. I know it's sudden-" 

At this, Emma turned to Archie, urging him away. 

"Not at all, honey! It's about time he popped the question. I'm sending Archie to welcome him to the family." 

I nodded feeling overwhelmed by all the excitement. 

"Mom, I'm going to get a breath of fresh air. I'll be back." 

Emma grinned. "Absolutely. I'll be speaking to Tawnee, here."

As soon as I was able to get away, I headed for the entrance doors, only to feel two pairs of eyes on me. It made the hair on my neck rise and it made my stomach stir. 

I thought I had escaped all judgement on me until I reached the empty lot. 

At least what I thought was empty. 

Behind me, a sharp, but feminine voice shouted. 

"Just what do you think you are doing!"

Hmm. Who could that woman be.

Lol.

Love you all 💔💔🤗