“Lookin stylin, daddy.” Zoey says as she leans against the bed.

I smile and adjust my vest before standing back. “You think?” I ask.

Zoey smiles and nods. Her hair is back in its usual messy braid but I was able to get her into some nicer clothes for the occasion. She may only be ten but she’s already strong-headed about her style. She hands over the small box she had been holding for me and I slip it into my pocket.

With a deep breath I nod at her. “Let’s go then.”

She nods back and follows me out as I leave the bedroom, heading out to the garden. Ash is reaching up into an apple tree, picking the apples ready for harvesting. A farmers’ market will be open at the town center this weekend so she’s been harvesting everything she can all week to get ready for it.

As we approach Ash steps back from the tree and looks at us, amusement in her eyes. “Well hello there.” She says, wiping her hands on her jeans.

“Hello.” I say with a smile and a quick kiss.

“Why are you two all dressed up?” She asks.

Zoey stays silent and looks to me. I smile and look to Ash. “Well darling, I’ve been quite aware for a while now that, while we share the same last name, I have yet to put a ring on your finger.” Our new identities had the same last name, but we just never got married officially. It hasn’t been until this last year that we’ve had time for it between raising Zoey and getting a name out in the town for Ash’s produce.

“Uhuh…” Ash says with a smirk.

“So, Zoey and I went out a couple weeks ago to shop around…” I pause. “Well, we found the perfect thing. Fenris is setting it up now. If you’ll just follow me across the property we’ll show you.”

Ash rolls her eyes but chuckles. “Okay.”

I pull Ash close as we walk across the yard, heading towards Fenris. He waves as we get closer and Zoey passes by us to run to him. If there’s one thing my girl loves more than being alone, it’s being with her uncle.

Beside Fenris is the hot air balloon that I rented for the day. He already has it filled with air and waiting for us. I step in and pull Ash with me. She laughs and looks around.

“Are you serious?” She chuckles.

“Absolutely.” I smile, nodding to Fenris. After a few moments of prep, Ash and I begin to float up in the balloon. I bring it to a stop a couple hundred feet above our property and turn to look at her.

“Ash Whitecoat.” I begin. “The moment I met you I couldn’t get you out of my head. At first it was because I didn’t know your name and I had no idea how you knew I was new to Bridgeport. After I got to know you it was because you are absolutely amazing. I knew before I went into Lance’s den for you that I wanted to marry you one day. So, Ash, will you marry me?”

I kneel down and pull out the box I had in my pocket. Ash’s eyes grow wide as I open it to reveal the ring I bought the same day I set up the plans for this hot air balloon. She laughs and I can hear Fenris and Zoey cheering us on from down below.

“Yes. Yes. A hundred times, yes!” Ash exclaims. I take her hand and slid the ring on before pulling her into a kiss.

“I love you, Ash.” I tell her.

“I love you too, Jayden.” She replies.