Page 81 of Ignacio

He tore off the paper and paused when he saw the Patek Philippe name on the box. He shot a glance at her and then finished opening his gift. Inside was a watch with an oversized face and black band.

“It’s vintage, from 1943. I have the paperwork to confirm its authenticity.”

“Sweetheart, I love it.”

Ignacio placed a hand at the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. When their mouths touched, his lips were warm and sure against hers, and she melted into him, cupping his jaw. This was the exact reaction she had been hoping for. Ignacio had been so good to her, she had wanted to give him something special and knew he would appreciate the timepiece from one of his favorite brands.

“Of course I’m wearing this today.” He fastened the watch around his wrist. “All right. Your turn.” He handed her a large bag covered with reindeer images.

“What could this be…?” Delta sang, removing the tissue paper. She gasped when she saw the two boxes in unmistakable Hermès orange.

“Baby…” She opened the first box and gasped again. “You bought me the Birkin?” The gold matte crocodile Birkin cost over six figures.

“Of course,” Ignacio said, looking very pleased with himself.

Delta hugged the bag and kissed it. “I love it.” She opened the next box, which contained calfskin Hermès sandals. “I love these too! I can’t wait until the weather warms up so I can wear them. Thank you, baby!”

She flung herself at Ignacio and gave him an appreciative kiss.

Ignacio frowned. “Were those the only two gifts in the bag?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Delta answered.

“There should have been another box. Maybe it fell out. Check under the tree.”

“Another present? You’re spoiling me.” She hopped up and glanced under the tree, moving two gifts out of the way in her search. “I don’t see anything.”

“Keep looking. Maybe it’s behind the tree.”

Though she doubted it could have fallen back there, she did as he asked. “Ignacio, I don’t see?—”

“Here it is.”

She turned, and her breath caught. Ignacio was down on one knee holding a small velvet box in his hand. Her heart pounded in her ears as he slowly opened the box and revealed a ring with a square stone in a breathtaking green color, surrounded by white diamonds.

“It’s a green diamond, extremely rare,” Ignacio explained, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “When I told my mother I wanted to marry you, she let me have the ring. It’s a family heirloom. I should have returned it to her when you and I never got engaged, but I held onto it. I don’t know why. Maybe because I was hoping, wishing, that someday you’d wear it. Or maybe because I didn’t want anyone else to have it. I always thought of this ring as yours.”

Delta covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes filling with tears.

“I love you so much. You make me laugh, I can share my dreams with you—my ups and downs. I can just be myself. I want to know that you’ll be mine forever. Will you marry me, Delta?”

A breathless laugh escaped her throat. “Are you serious?”

“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

“Yes. Of course, yes!”

A relieved smile spread across Ignacio’s face as he slid the ring onto her finger. Perfect fit. She threw herself into his arms, knocking him backward onto the floor.

She pressed kisses all over his face as he laughed, holding her tightly.

Finally, Delta pulled back. “This is the best Christmas present I could ever have. I love you.”

They kissed tenderly, which slowly turned into something more, and Ignacio groaned.

“We have to go. We need to pick up Vivian, and my family’s expecting us.”

“We have a little time,” she whispered, undoing his belt.

---