Page 37 of Silent Night With Alessio

“Isabella,” he says, his voice soft and warm, the corner of his mouth tugging into that familiar, boyish grin.

I walk over, and I slip into his lap, letting his arms wrap around me as I lean down to kiss him. His hand finds my cheek, gently, his thumb tracing along my skin, and I feel a blush rise to my cheeks.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs. He has a way of making me feel like I’m the only woman in the world, like no one else could matter.

I pull back just enough to reach into the pocket in my shirt, retrieving the velvet box. “It’s finished,” I say, smiling as I hand it to him. “Your important ring.” I tease, unable to hide my curiosity any longer.

He opens the box, his eyes falling to the ring. For a moment, he’s silent, his expression unreadable as he studies it. Then he nods, closing the box with a quiet click, and his gaze lifts to meet mine, something deeper, something almost vulnerable, flickering in his eyes.

“You’re right,” he says, his voice low. “It is beautiful. Perfect for my mission.”

Before I can ask what he means, he stands, setting me down in his chair as he moves to kneel before me.

I take a moment to process what’s happening, and even then, it doesn’t quite feel real. My heart races, my mind reeling ashe takes my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles, his expression soft.

“Isabella,” he begins, his voice barely a whisper. “From the moment I met you, you turned my world upside down. You came into my life, and everything changed. And though I fought it, though I tried to keep my distance, you… you showed me what it meant to love, what it meant to let someone in.”

I feel my breath catch, my eyes stinging with the threat of tears as I listen, my hand trembling.

He takes a deep breath.

“The first time we met, it was because of a ring. I did not know back then how much you would come to mean to me, how deeply you would change my life. And now, it only feels right that there should be a ring between us again, a ring that represents something far more precious. This ring,” he says, his voice breaking just a little, “is my promise to you, a promise that I’ll always be by your side, that I’ll protect you, love you, and cherish you for the rest of my life.”

He looks down, almost as if he’s gathering his courage, before looking at me again, his eyes shining with an emotion that takes my breath away.

“Isabella,” he whispers, “I want to spend forever with you. Will you marry me?”

For a moment, I’m speechless, my heart pounding that it feels like it might burst. I can’t hold back the tears now…they spill over, sliding down my cheeks as I take in the man before me, this incredible, beautiful man who has given me everything, who has made me feel seen, safe, and loved in ways I never thought possible.

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. “Yes, Alessio, a million times over. I want nothing more than to spend forever with you.”

His face breaks into the most radiant smile I’ve ever seen, and he slips the ring onto my finger with a reverence that makes my heart ache.

The metal is cool against my skin, but his touch is warm, steady, grounding me in this perfect, impossible moment.

And before I can think, I’m throwing myself into his arms, my lips finding his as I kiss him with everything I have, pouring every bit of love into that kiss.

He holds me tightly, his arms a warm as he kisses me back, his hands gentle yet firm, as if he’s afraid to let go.

Just then, his lips leave mine and trail to my neck, where he plants a gentle bite. My body shivers with anticipation, sensing that ravenous energy I crave beginning to rise in him.

And as the moment takes hold, I know I’m as happy as I’ve ever been.

This is my perfect ending, my happy ever after. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

THE END

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