Aaron:

A few months ago, I did something I never thought in a million years I'd ever do. I asked Sloane to be my wife. After years of no care-in-the-world attitude—enjoying threesomes, one-night stands, and more, I finally grew up. Between my grandmother's wishes, pushing and pushing for me to settle down, and begging my sisters to talk some sense into me, and my friends and their wives doing the same. I realized that wasn't the life I wanted to live.

It also helped my best friend, whom I tried to hate, whom I told myself I never wanted to see or hear from again, after twenty years of not talking, return to my life. Seeing and hanging out with her changed everything I told myself I never wanted: a girlfriend or a wife. My thoughts also changed after witnessing my friend's wife deliver a child about wanting a family.

As much as I'd love to start a family with Sloane, it'll be something I'd never push on her after she'd already given birth to two children and how broken she was after losing them both. Starting a family with the love of my life will be something I'll let her bring up. And if Sloane ever were to, I wouldn't turn her down—I'd lift her over my shoulder and tell her, let's get busy.

Honestly, if we ever had children, I know they'd be the most beautiful kids ever, and I'd be proud to call them mine. But for now, I'll continue doing what I promised her: make her the happiest and proudest woman ever to walk the Earth. And the best husband she's ever had—of course, when we marry finally.

Until then, now is one of those times to ensure my girl is satisfied and happy. And I'm proud to say I'm about to surprise my girl in less than twenty-four hours with a new look she hadn't seen in nearly three years. And I cannot wait to see her reaction—her award-winning smile when I'm finished minimizing the look of her facial scars. Sloane's smile, I know, will be the most enormous smile her lips have ever had and one that'll never want to fade.

"Why are you making me close my eyes?"

"Because."

"Why?" she asked, a smile in her voice, most likely assuming I was about to do naughty, unholy things to her.

I lifted the blindfold and brought it around her face, saying, "Because I don't want you seeing what I'm about to do. That's why. Now be a good girl for me and keep your eyes closed."

"Will this involve sex?"

I knew that's what she was thinking, and I should tease her by making her believe that it's what we're about to do, but I won't. I want her to keep guessing, to see how upset I can get her before removing the blindfold and surprising her on the operating table.

With a smile, I answered, "Nope."

"Then, why the blindfold?" she asked as I secured it tightly. "And why the nightgown?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," I quipped. "Keep guessing."

She sighed, and I grinned even wider.

"Blindfold. Nightgown," she muttered as she thought. "Are you taking me to the club?"

I chuckled.

"Come on, Aaron," she frustratedly whined. "Can't you give me any clue at all?"

Taking her hand and guiding her out of the bedroom, I told her, "Nope. What fun would that be if I gave you any more clues? You've already been given one clue, and that's all I'll give," I teased, carefully helping her walk down the stairway.

"So. No sex. No club. Yet I'm blindfolded and wearing a nightgown. Now you're putting my winter coat on me, which means you're bringing me somewhere out in the damn blistery weather... in a fricken nightgown, no less!"

I found humor in her angriness and laughed.

"It's not funny, Aaron, it's freezing out, and you insisted I wear what I am, knowing damn well you were bringing me out in the cold," she complained as I guided her to the Suburban. I could've loaded Sloane into the vehicle inside the garage, but I wanted to be an asshole and do everything I could to upset her before surprising her with the one thing she'd been wanting done without asking me once to do it.

Knowing she'd whine about wearing the nightgown out in the cold, I was nice and turned the seat heater on for her when I pulled the Suburban out of the garage. After all, it is the end of January, and ten below out.

"Don't worry, hun. Soon, you'll be in a warm atmosphere, where you'll want to remove all of your clothes," I hinted, buckling her in. And I know she'll want to, too.

I chuckled when she scoffed, "Whatever."

Pressing my lips to hers, I smiled, saying, "I love you."

"I hate you right now."

My lips twitched, loving how worked up she was getting.

Grinning wider, I replied, "No, you don't." I kissed her angry lips again. "You know you love me with all your heart."

She crossed her arms, hissing, "Are you going to close the door and let me warm up? Or are you going to continue pissing me off by telling me bullshit with the door wide open?"

"Both," I quipped, snickering, before kissing her lips. "Fine. But we're not leaving the driveway until you tell me how much you love me."

She raised her hands and gave me the good old double-finger salute. "Does that answer your question?"

I shook my head like she could see me, smiling. "Nope."

"Fine. I love you. Are you happy now? Because if you are, then close the damn door."

Laughing, I shut the door.

She may be angry with me now, but that anger will wear off the instant I remove the blindfold and she sees exactly where she is. And I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees me and the nurses hovering over her, ready to put her under general anesthesia.

If it weren't for my soon-to-be in-laws going to California and getting Sloane's medical records, I wouldn't be able to surprise my girl with, in my eyes, the best gift ever to give her in just a short while. She may have never asked me to do this for her, but I've seen it written on her face and in her eyes: she's wanted to ask but has been afraid to ask, possibly fearing I'd assume it was why she returned to find me.

Sloane's come a long way, and since she's gotten her confidence back and has become more comfortable with her body image, minimizing Sloane's scars is the least I can do to show my commitment and support for her, how much I love her and to encourage her to continue loving herself for who she is, and who she's become.

When we arrived, Darcy quietly held the door open, bouncing and smiling excitedly for Sloane. Then, when we entered the clinic, and I saw our friends and family in the waiting area, patiently waiting for our arrival, I couldn't help but feel more excited for the love of my life. I didn't ask them to be here. They all showed on their own, wanting to carry on with my surprise and show how much they loved her.

Seeing the room filled with everyone we knew, knowing they took time off work and their busy lives to show their love and support for my girl, says everything about who they are, where their heart is, and always be. I can happily say Sloane and I have the best friends and family anyone could ask for.

"Where are we?" Sloane asked when I removed her jacket.

"You'll see in a few minutes."

She frustratedly sighed, and the smile on my lips grew even wider.

"You can sigh and be angry with me all you want," I said, lifting her and laying her on the table, "it doesn't bother me. Because in a few short minutes, I know all your anger and frustration will quickly change." To give her another little hint about what was about to happen, to see if she could finally figure out what was happening, I said, "Instead of being pissed at me. You'll be throwing yourself at me..." I paused, curious if I'd get a reaction, and when her lips slightly parted, I continued, "And you'll be smiling from ear to ear, hugging me tightly, and kissing me all over."

Her lips fell a little more, making me smile even more.

For weeks, I studied Sloane's medical records, the images of her scars, and the damage that had been done beneath the flesh to know what I'd be working with. To be sure nothing would go wrong during the surgery, ensuring the areas I'd be reconstructing and minimizing wouldn't hit any of her nerves, I scanned her images into my facial reconstruction program, marked the areas I'd be fixing, and began the restoration process.

Lowering my face, my lips grazed her lips when I said, "Your life is about to change, sweetheart, forever." My lips excitedly twitched when her breathing hitched.

"You're not..." she whispered, the shock in her voice as if she figured out what was happening.

I chastely kissed her lips. "I am," I responded.

"Tell me I'm dreaming," she stammered, shocked, sounding as if she were about to cry.

Removing the blindfold and seeing tears trickling from the corners of her eyes, I confirmed, "It's not a dream, sweetheart. And every one of our friends and family outside this room, waiting to see the final results, will confirm this is not a dream." I smiled, winked, and said, "So don't be mad that I dragged you out in your nightgown in the freezing cold. Because I'm moments away from making you the happiest girl alive."

Wiping the tears from her face, she captured her breath and whispered, "I owe you the world."

"You've already given it to me."

I hope you enjoyed the story!

Eventually, there will be a continuance to this story, and it'll be mixed into Trent's story: Sold to the Billionaire