Page 61 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

I reach into my pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. "I've had it for weeks."

Vashti snatches it, gasping when she opens it. Inside sits a delicate silver band with tiny herbs and flowers etched into the metal, each one representing something Ada grows in hergarden. A small rose blooms in the center, its petals crafted from pale pink diamonds.

"You made this yourself?" Vashti whispers.

I nod, taking the box back. "Every detail."

The next morning, I kneel beside Rose in the garden before sunrise, helping her arrange the herbs exactly as we planned. Her tiny hands carefully place each sprig of lavender and chamomile in a circle.

"Like this, Cappy Dez?" Her violet eyes shine with excitement.

"Perfect, little flower." I adjust the last stem. "Remember what to say?"

She bounces on her toes. "Mama! Come look what we made!"

Right on cue, Ada emerges from the house, her braid still messy from sleep. She freezes when she sees us, her warm brown eyes widening at the herb circle.

"What's all this?" She steps closer, taking in each carefully placed plant.

"These are all the herbs you taught me about!" Rose points to each one, reciting what they are and why.

Ada kneels beside her daughter, touching the plants with gentle fingers. "And aracin blossoms for courage?"

"That was my addition." I move closer, my heart pounding. "Because you're the bravest person I know."

She looks up at me, her expression softening. "Dezoth..."

"You faced everything life threw at you with grace and strength." I take her hand. "You built a garden from nothing, taught your daughter to find beauty even in darkness."

Rose tugs at her mother's sleeve. "Mama, look what else we made!"

She holds up the ring box, nearly dropping it in her enthusiasm. Ada's breath catches as I open it, revealing the silver band catching the first rays of dawn.

"Every herb and flower you've grown here, I etched into this ring. Because you've grown roots in my heart just as surely as you've grown them in this garden." I meet her eyes. "Stay. Not as my ward, but as my mate. Let me be a father to Rose, let me protect you both - not because you need protection, but because I need you in my life."

Tears spill down Ada's cheeks as she traces the tiny rose on the ring. "You crafted this yourself?"

"Every detail."

Rose wraps her arms around both of us. "Please say yes, Mama. Cappy Dez makes the best tea party guest."

Ada laughs through her tears, looking between her daughter and me. "Yes. Yes to all of it."

My heart soars at her "yes." In one fluid motion, I sweep Ada into my arms, lifting her off the ground. Her honey-blonde hair comes completely loose from its braid as I capture her lips with mine. She tastes like morning dew and hope, her small hands gripping my shoulders as she kisses me back with equal fervor.

"Yay!" Rose launches herself at us like a tiny projectile.

I catch her with one arm, keeping Ada secure with the other. Rose's violet eyes sparkle as she wraps her arms around both our necks, squishing her face between ours.

"Now we can have tea parties every day!" She plants kisses on both our cheeks. "And magic lessons! And-"

Ada laughs, the sound pure joy. "Breathe, sweetheart."

I shift them both in my arms, marveling at how perfectly they fit there. Rose's curls tickle my chin as she snuggles closer. The morning sun bathes us in golden light, making the ring on Ada's finger shimmer as she strokes Rose's hair.

"I love you both," I murmur against Ada's temple. "My fierce gardener and my little flower."

"And we love our Cappy Dez." Rose pats my cheek. "Even when you wear the sparkly tiara crooked."

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