The Open Shot (The Hotshots Series Book 1)

Epilogue One

Warrick

Two Months Later...

Yellow is five months pregnant now. After we got back from our trip, I convinced Yellow to move in with us and life couldn't be better, but she did not let her apartment go completely. She made it completely her office next door.

However, her book was released today. And I've been planning a surprise book-release party for her for weeks, despite the fact that I pretended it was just another day when we woke up.

We all jump up when she pushes the door open a few seconds after the doorknob turns, presumably frightening her to no end judging by the expression on her face. The she rubs her baby bump.

Her eyes widen as she surveys the room, and when she finally understands that we are not murderers or anything, she smiles and covers her lips with her palm. "You guys, really?"

A.L rushes toward her, throwing her arms around her. "I'm so proud of you, Yellow."

Nana Diana joins in, wrapping her arms around both of them.

"Mom is looking down, so proud." Rico kisses the top of Yellow's head. "Love you so much, my big sunshine."

Rory is next to bolt toward her, wiggling her way.

"Congratulations, Mommy." Rory says, wrapping her short arms around Yellow.

"Thank you, little sun!" then she turns to every one of us. "Thank you for this" I move closer to the two, watching Yellow's eyes fill with tears.

Taking a few short steps to them, I wrap my arms around them both and put my mouth closer to her ear. "I'm proud of you, Heart. So proud that I think I need to make an announcement."

Everyone's attention is on us right now. Yellow and me are staring at each other and she nods, grinning widely as her tears still fall from her eyes.

Some of my teammates are here, My parents and some of her family and A.L.

I cleared my throat, "As you know all my girlfriend is five months pregnant right?" I asks

They all say "yes" in chorus

"And yesterday we got the gender of our baby" I continued everyone gasps, anticipating what will be said next.

"And... were having..." I paused and looked at Rory and gestured to her that she could deliver it.

"A BOY!" Rory excitedly shares.

Everyone cheers, and congratulates us.

"One more thing..." I said I looked at my girlfriend. She's looking at me confused. I reach for the small velvet box in my pocket. And kneel on my knee.

"Yellow Hartley," I begin, my mind suddenly forgetting the proposal I'd rehearsed in the mirror countless times.

"Yes," she cries excitedly.

I laugh, my hands shaking as I hold out the unopened ring box in front of me. "You have to let me ask first, Heart. I've planned out this long speech to ask you to⁠—"

"No matter what you say, it's already a yes," she says, grabbing my face in her hands.

I swallow, emotion clogged in my throat at how much I love this woman.

"God, I love you," I croak, grabbing her hand. It shakes against mine as I hold the box up.

"I'll give you the full epic speech I had prepared to ask you to marry me, Yellow, later tonight when my nerves aren't getting the better of me. It was full of all the reasons I adore you and the ways you improve me every single day as a man. I've known I was going to marry you from the day you declared your love for me, and I don't want to put off being your wife any longer. Along with the proposal, I had a lot of other lovely things to say. It was full of my ideas for us and how much I want to spend the rest of our lives together, but fuck, all the romantic thoughts I had have vanished, so suddenly" I open the box, a rush of relief coursing through me at the way she gasps when she looks at the ring. "Will you marry me? I know I suck at words, but no one will ever love you like I do, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure you wake up each morning knowing how loved and cherished you are and..."

"Warrick, yes." Tears stream down her face as she falls to her knees in front of me, her arms wrapping around my neck. "God, yes. A million times yes."

I wonder if she can feel the beat of my racing heart through the press of our chests. "You will?" I ask, needing her to say it one more time.

"Of course, I will." She kisses me, forgetting all about the ring still in its box that I need to slide onto her finger.

I picked out Yellow's ring with Rory's help. and I'm hoping the big princess-cut diamond on the platinum diamond band is everything she could have ever desired in a marriage proposal.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her close to my body as I bury my face in her hair. "I love you," I get out, my voice shaking with how much I love her.

"I love you too," she responds immediately, leaning back so she can meet my eyes.

I take the ring from the box and put it on her finger with a trembling hand. It fits her perfectly, and I adore how it looks on her. Although I've known she's mine for some time, I can't wait for everyone to see her wearing this and realize it as well.

"This is the most stunning ring I've ever seen," she says, her voice full of shock.

"Only the best for the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

It is a promise of eternity.

And I can't possibly wait to be with her forever.

The End.