Page 101 of Sexting My Ex's Dad
“Elio,” I stammer, attempting to regain my composure. “What are you doing here?” My voice sounds more accusatory than I intend, but I can’t help it; his sudden appearance has thrown me off balance.
“I came to see Leo,” he replies, his eyes never leaving mine. “But I also needed to talk to you, Stella. It’s been too long.”
Why would he come and see Leo? Even if the two of them had gotten along well, he’d only seen Leo once…
“Look, Stella!” Leo’s excited voice breaks through the tension between Elio and me. With a beaming smile, he holds up a puzzle piece, his eyes shining with pride. “Elio helped me find this one!”
I glance at Elio, who offers a slight, warm smile as he watches Leo. For a brief moment, the charged atmosphere dissipates, replaced by the lightness of my brother’s joy. I can’t help but smile back as I step closer to Leo.
“Good job, Leo,” I say, my voice soft yet encouraging. His happiness is contagious, and I find myself smiling.
“Thank you, Elio,” Leo says. Elio nods, his gaze lingering on Leo for a moment before turning back to me.
A sudden, almost imperceptible movement catches my eye. Elio reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box, its midnight blue surface gleaming in the soft light of Leo’s room. My breath catches in my throat, and I can feel my pulse quicken as the significance of the moment dawns on me.
“Stella,” Elio says, his voice barely above a whisper. He takes a step closer, holding the velvet box in one hand as he extends the other toward me. “I know this might seem sudden, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.”
He opens the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring nestled inside. The sight of it makes me gasp at the beauty and unexpectedness of it all. Elio gets down on one knee, never once breaking eye contact with me, and I can see the raw emotion in his piercing blue eyes.
“Stella March, I’ve put you through absolute hell, and we both know that I don’t deserve you. I chased you off because I was scared to be with you, scared of what my son would say. But I don’t want to run anymore. I don’t want to deny myself anymore. I’m sick of pretending like you’re not the only thing in this world that I want. You have captured my heart, and I don’t want anyone else to have it,” he confesses, his voice shaking with sincerity. “I love you more than words can say, and the thought of losing you terrifies me beyond measure. I want to spend the rest of my life by your side, facing whatever challenges may come our way, together. I wasted this last year, but I don’t want to waste anymore.”
His words wrap around me like a warm embrace, and I can barely comprehend the depth of emotion he’s pouring into this moment. As I look down at him, kneeling before me with the most vulnerable expression I’ve ever seen on his face, I realize that my feelings for him haven’t diminished over time.
But how can I know that he means it? He wouldn’t be on one knee if he didn’t.
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Elio asks, the hope and love in his eyes nearly palpable.
Tears well up in my eyes, as I force my mind to think quickly. I’m switzerland. While I haven’t thought about another man, what if he hurts me again?
“Stella?” Elio’s voice trembles, mirroring my own uncertainty. He reaches out and grabs my hand. “I won’t let you down again.”
And I can tell by the way he says it that he means it.
If I say ‘yes’ it’s forever. And who else would I want my forever with?
I blink back my tears, trying to steady myself. Taking a shaky breath, I nod, the word barely audible as it escapes my lips. “Yes.”
“Really?” Elio’s eyes widen with a mix of surprise and relief.
“Yes, Elio,” I say more firmly, finally finding my voice. “I love you too. And I want to spend my life with you, but if you leave me out to dry again,” I threaten.
“I won’t,” he promises, rising from his feet and pulling me into his arms. We cling to one another. I can feel the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and I know that this is where I belong.
“Thank you,” Elio whispers into my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “Thank you for giving us a chance.”
The moment feels suspended in time as Elio’s fingers gently grasp my left hand. With a tender smile, he carefully slides the delicate ring onto my finger – a perfect fit, as if it was always meant to be there.
“Yay!” Leo exclaims from the corner of the room, breaking through the intensity of the moment. His face beams withdelight as he claps his hands together, his innocent excitement adding a touch of lightness to the scene. “I knew you two would get married! Now we can all be one big happy family!”
“Leo, come here,” I beckon, unable to contain my laughter at his enthusiasm. He bounds over to us, wrapping his arms around both Elio and me.
“Leo, what do you think?” I ask.
“Are you kidding? This is the best day ever!” he cheers. “I’ve always wanted a big brother, and Elio’s the coolest one I could ask for!”
He’s the coolest fiance I could ask for too.
EPILOGUE
