I looked up at Jackson openmouthed, speechless as he sat there grinning at me, looking extremely pleased. I finally found my voice, although it was strained.
"What...what is this?"
Jackson gave me a mock frown, ruined by the twinkle in his eye. "You mean you don't know?" He gave a dramatic sigh, speaking as if he had an audience. "It figures the love of my life doesn't even recognize an engagement ring when she sees one."
"Hold it right there," I said, resisting the urge to shake my head to clear it, the comedy of the situation not lost on me. "Aren't you supposed to ask me first?"
"Your answer isn't yes?"
"Of course it's yes!" I exclaimed, feeling exasperated. I didn't think this was what I should be feeling when the man I loved asked me to marry him. Except he hadn't, exactly. "But you're supposed to ask me! I wasn't even awake for the proposal!"
I folded my arms across my chest, wanting to pout at Jackson's imperious manner. Jackson's expression turned serious as he shifted his body to drop to one knee by the sofa.
"I've never wanted anything more than to spend the rest of my life with you. I slipped the ring on your finger while you slept in my arms because I wanted to see you wearing it so badly. But I know the ring is just a symbol. We already pledged to be together for the rest of our lives, and this is just making it official. You already belong to me. And I belong to you." Jackson reached up to caress my cheek and I couldn't stop trembling with emotion. "Emma Mills, I love you. You're my heart and my life, and I can't imagine breathing one breath without you by my side. Will you marry me?"
"Yes," I whispered, feeling dizzy with joy. The happiness was almost too much to bear. "Yes!" I said louder, and then I yelled it. "Yes, yes, yes!!"
Tears were streaming down my face and Jackson pulled me close, kissing me fiercely, the promise of our future in his kiss. I could taste the saltiness of my tears in our kiss, making it even sweeter.
When we broke apart, I caressed his face with my hand, loving the feel of stubble against my fingers. I gave him a crooked smile, hardly able to believe that this beautiful man was mine. I blinked when I remembered the pilot's words.
"Wait a minute. Where are we going?"
Jackson quirked his mouth, his eyes dancing with merriment. "I remember someone once telling me that she would be happy spending her days fishing and her nights listening to the ocean, as long as we were together."
I thought for a moment and then realization dawned.
"We're going to Bora Bora?" I asked in excitement, my face breaking out in a smile. I squealed when Jackson nodded. "I can't believe it!"
Jackson grinned at my enthusiasm, but I bit my lip, remembering the context of my request that I had said in jest. "I said that we should leave everything behind for life on a deserted island." I looked at him uncertainly. "Is that what you want to do?"
Jackson's grin faded as he looked serious. "If that's what you want."
"But-but," I sputtered. "We have a life back in New York. You have your career and I have my job. Jackson Reynard can't drop off the face of the earth to become a beach bum!"
Jackson shrugged. "Why not? I'm happy as long as we're together."
"But you love acting! You can't give it up!"
Jackson shook his head. "That's where you're wrong. I like acting, I love you. I know life under the spotlight has been difficult for you. I know you think I make all the decisions, but this decision is up to you."
Love for Jackson rushed through me, and it was tempting to throw caution to the wind, along with all the obligations of our life, and dedicate ourselves to enjoying each other. But it seemed too reckless, too extreme.
Jackson leaned over and kissed me gently, as if he understood the debate going on inside my head. "You don't have to decide now. This can just be a vacation. But I hear Bora Bora is a great place to raise children."
My heart squeezed at Jackson's words, the thought of having children with him making me so happy that it was impossible to express it in words. Even though Jackson said we had time to decide, I couldn't stop weighing the pros and cons, not knowing what the right decision was. Jackson just stretched out on the couch, watching me with a smile.
The thought of living in paradise was tempting but I also loved our life back home. Our friends and family were there, but then again living with Jackson in Bora Bora would be an adventure. Finally, I smiled widely, knowing in my heart what was right.
"Did you decide?" Jackson asked, looking at me inquisitively. He smiled when I just nodded. "Are you going to tell me?"
"I'll tell you later," I said airily. "Right now I have to figure out what I'm going to wear in Bora Bora. I packed for L.A., not a tropical island."
Jackson pulled me close, his eyes gleaming with humor and love. "Going to make me sweat it out, huh?"
I nodded with a smug look. "It's only fair since I had to put up with your non-proposal."
Jackson grinned, not looking the slightest bit perturbed. "Soon you'll realize that it doesn't matter to me. We could live in Bora Bora, we could move to a podunk town where I bag groceries and you flip burgers, we could go anywhere. It doesn't matter. All that matters is me loving you, and you loving me."
I gazed up at Jackson, my heart brimming with happiness, as I realized I would gladly spend the rest of my life making myself worthy of this man.
"I love you, Jackson Reynard," I whispered.
"I'll hold you to that," Jackson replied with a gentle smile, kissing me softly.