Lana hops up from her seat a few rows up and hurries back to me. "I'll watch them for you," she murmurs, squeezing my arm and smiling.
"Thanks." I take a breath and head toward the stage, curious as hell to know what's going on. Sebastian meets me at the stairs, holding his hand out to help me ascend. My skin hums where he touches me, singing like it always does.
He escorts me to the center of the stage.
Leslie grins at me, her eyes twinkling just like Sebastian's. They are definitely up to something. They aren't related, but they're so much alike, they might as well be. The bond they share is obvious. Sebastian adores her. She feels the same way about him. I really like her too.
"I believe you need this," she says, handing the microphone to Sebastian.
He takes it, winking at her, before he turns to me. His expression is so soft and warm, so full of love. God, it's no wonder Johnson knew something was going on between us. Sebastian looks at me like I'm the only woman in the world.
I look at him the same way.
"What are you up to?" I ask, narrowing my eyes on him.
"Nothing, little owl." He smirks at me and then turns to look out over the rows of kids. "Miss Lassiter doesn't know it yet, but I have a surprise for her," he says, speaking into the microphone. "I think I might need a little help with it. Do you think you can help me?"
"Yeah!" the kids all yell.
"Excellent." He grins at them. "On the count of three, I want you all to say what we talked about when I visited your classes, all right?"
The kids all shout their agreement.
I stare between him and them, partly amused and partly nervous. I have no idea what he talked them into doing for him. There is no limit to what he'll do to make me happy. He says it's his job to keep me that way.
"Mrs. Holland is going to count for me. When she says three, you do your part. Don't leave me hanging," he says. "Your part is the best part."
The kids all shout their agreement again.
Sebastian hands the microphone to Leslie before he shuffles me over a little bit, putting me exactly where he wants me. I stare at him with a smile on my face. I can't help it. He looks so damn proud of himself.
My heart jumps into my throat when he drops to his knees in front of me.
Oh my gosh.
He isn't…is he?
"One," Leslie says as he shoves his hand into his pocket and pulls out a little blue box.
Holy shit. He is.
My hands fly to my mouth.
"Two," Leslie says.
My hands shake. So do my knees. I think I'm going to pass out.
"Three!" Leslie yells into the microphone.
"Miss Lassiter, please marry Dr. Thorne!" all the kids shout as he flips the box open to reveal the ring inside.
"Say yes, little owl," he says, smiling so brightly I lose track of everything for a second.
My heart soars with joy.
"Yes!" I manage to blurt.
I don't know if the kids hear my answer or if they're just so excited that they're going crazy, but the entire auditorium is complete chaos as Sebastian inhales a deep breath and then tugs me toward him. His hands shake as he slips the ring onto my finger. The band is full of diamonds, with a massive round cut stone in the center. It's beautiful.
He pulls my hand to his mouth to press his lips to the ring and then hops up and pulls me into his arms. The entire auditorium erupts into more chaos when he kisses me hard on the mouth. It doesn't last long, but the kiss is full of joy and fierce possession.
I taste tears on our lips, but I'm not sure if they're mine or his.
"Don't be mad," he murmurs when he breaks the kiss, tucking my head against his chest and holding me. He dips his head, putting his mouth near my ear so I can hear him over the kids. "I know how much these kids mean to you and how much they love you. It was only right to ask them to help me out."
"I'm not mad," I promise, sobbing. My heart is so full it feels like it might burst. "I'm s-s-so happy!"
"Good. You should only ever be happy. I'm going to spend the rest of my life teaching you just how magical you are, Paradise. Teaching you how beautiful you are and how happy you make me and everyone who knows you. You're mine forever. My paradise."
"You're mine too," I whisper. "I love you so much."
"Thank God, little owl," he whispers, reverence in his voice. "Thank God."