Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 312

Clairessa’s POV

Dinner had been set up on the upper deck, Gabriel’s usual brand of over-the-top. Rose petals scattered across the table, a violinist playing quietly in the corner, and the ocean stretched dark and endless around us. Extravagant, dramatic, and just…..perfect.

The food had been rich, almost too much, but I savored every bite. Now, with my head resting against Gabriel’s chest and his arms wrapped around me as we stood by the rail, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“Dinner was perfect,” I murmured, watching the waves. “The food, the music, everything. The chef outdid himself. I enjoyed every bit….. I swear I almost cleared the entire table.”

“That’s the point of a vacation.” Gabriel reached up, brushing my hair gently to one side of my neck, his fingers lingering for a moment. “You don’t stop yourself. You eat until you can’t anymore.”

I tilted my chin up at him, fighting a smile. “And this….. your idea of simple?” My tone was playful, teasing. “Remind me never to complain about your extravagant taste again.”

His laugh rumbled low in his chest. “What can I say? My simple is a little different from yours. But you liked it.”

“Liked it?” I twisted slightly in his arms, my eyes catching his. “Gabriel, it was perfect.” My voice cracked just slightly, the truth of it breaking through. “And fine, I’ll admit it, I needed this. And I’m sorry for giving you such a hard time about the trip.”

“Correction,” he said, brushing his lips against my temple, smug as ever. “You were downright stubborn. Insisting you didn’t want to come.”

“I was not!” I protested, laughing softly, then elbowed his side. “And that’s rich coming from the man who refuses to take no for an answer.”

“That’s exactly why we work.” His hand slid over mine, pressing affectionately against my belly. “I know you were just worried. About the baby.”

My fingers covered his, squeezing lightly. “We’re doing good,” I whispered. “Better than I feared. The baby isn’t here yet, but everything is…..going right.”

I leaned deeper into him, breathing in the comfort of his scent, the faint salt of the ocean. The violinist’s notes floated around us, creating a soft and dreamy atmosphere, wrapping the night in romance.

My throat tightened, and before I could stop myself, I whispered, “Thank you. For being the best partner any woman could ask for during this pregnancy. You’ve been patient, kind, and unbelievably supportive…..even if I have to remind you every single day that I’m pregnant, not sick.”

He laughed, his chest shaking against my back.

“But I’m not complaining,” I added quickly, turning just enough to meet his eyes with a grin.

Gabriel was about to respond when he suddenly shifted. “Ah….. hold on.” He bent slightly, like something had fallen near his shoe.

My brows drew together. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” he muttered, too casually this time. But then I felt rather than saw him crouch lower behind me.

I turned slowly, confused, and found him still kneeling. He didn’t straighten. He stayed there, his tall frame folded down, and for a second it stole the air from my lungs.

His face….. it wasn’t his usual teasing expression. It was open, vulnerable, flooded with raw emotion. His hands moved with an almost nervous certainty as they reached into his jacket pocket.

Is he about to propose?

My insides leapt so hard I pressed both palms over my stomach as if to steady myself. I couldn’t seem to breathe. My eyes locked on him in awe.

Then he pulled something out of a small, dark, velvet box. He opened it, and the light from the deck caught on the massive diamond inside. It wasn’t just a ring. It was a promise, dazzling, breathtaking.

My mouth dropped open. “Oh my God….. Gabriel…..”

Yes! God, yes.

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