Page 50 of Embers of Love

They left flowers and chocolate on their way out. Ember was left with her mother. They hadn’t really been alone with each other since the last fight they had at her apartment.

“Hey, baby,” Becky said.

“Hi, Mom,” Ember replied.

Things were not nearly as awkward as she thought it would be. Probably had something to do with the fact that she almost died. Again.

“You want to talk about Josephine.” It was a statement. Her mother wasn’t asking.

Ember nodded.

“You love her?”

She nodded once more.

“Then I’m happy that you’re happy.”

Ember was surprised by her response. She hadn’t expected it. Her mom’s initial outrage at finding out they were seeing each other had been so palpable she would’ve sworn this day would never come.

“I think I want to marry her,” Ember confessed, surprising both her mother and herself.

Becky cocked her head to one side, giving it some thought. Ember knew she was going to marry Josephine no matter what, but she wanted her mother’s approval. It would mean a lot to her.

“You have my blessing,” Becky said finally. “I guess you really couldn’t have chosen someone better to be with. Josephine is incredible. She worked so hard to make sure you were okay.”

Ember nodded, glancing down at her right arm, which was in a cast. Josephine had gone above and beyond to ensure her recovery would go without a single hitch.

“When do you plan on asking her?” her mother enquired.

“As soon as I’m back on my feet again.”

When her mother left, Ember was alone in her room and she just daydreamed about the proposal.

She wanted it to be perfect. Not for her sake, but for Josephine. Maybe they’d go to a great restaurant, have a candlelight dinner under the stars. Ember was going to buy a beautiful ring…

“Do you want to get married?”

Ember’s mind ground to a halt. Josephine had come for one of her routine checkups. She hadn’t been expecting the question. She’d made all of those plans in her head, thinking Josephine wanted everything to be special and picturesque.

“I’m so sorry.” Josephine looked away sharply. “God, that was terr?—”

“Yes!” Ember said quickly before Josephine could take back her words. “I’d absolutely love to marry you!”

Josephine smiled the brightest smile she’d ever seen. There was a bit of hunger underneath her gaze, but her eyes briefly went to Ember’s cast.

“I can’t wait for you to get better,” she said.

“Yeah.” Ember grinned. “We do have a lot to catch up on.”

It took weeks before Josephine agreed to have sex with her again. She’d wanted to wait longer but Ember watched her resolve crumble over time. She was back at home, in her apartment. Josephine had come over to spend the night. Ember had planned for this. After her bath, she came out of the bathroom naked and wet.

She felt Josephine’s eyes latch on to her as she deliberately walked past her where she was sitting on the couch. She walked into the kitchen. She busied herself at the sink while she waited.

Ember didn’t have to wait long until she felt Josephine’s arm wrapping around her waist.

“How’s your arm?”

Ember turned around and pulled Josephine close. “You know my arm is okay.”

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