Page 107 of Lorenzo & Lily

Epilogue

Lorenzo took a deep breath, and the soft scent of Lily’s hair filled him. He was spooning her from behind in their bed, and needed to get up and start the day. Winter had taken hold, and most days the cold and damp kept them indoors. He didn’t mind it, as it meant he was indoors cuddling with his girls on those days.

He checked the time, then took a moment to listen to the hall beyond their rooms.

All quiet, at least for now.

He dropped a kiss to Lily’s neck and she shifted slightly. He loved the moments just before she woke up, when she was soft and warm and half-asleep. For too many years, she’d trained herself to get up and get going as soon as the alarm went off, and to stay on the run all day so she could provide for Liliana. It would take some more time before she relaxed fully into her new life – she’d only been living in the castle with him a month, after all – but on days like this, it was easier for her.

“Lorenzo?” she murmured, her voice low and husky.

He nuzzled her hair. “Hmmm?”

She turned and snuggled against his bare chest, then tangled her legs with his. They never slept in the nude – one unexpected nighttime visit from Liliana where they had to quickly scramble into their clothes was enough to break that habit – but he found he liked the silky feel of her nightgowns.

“What time is it?”

“By my guess, we have an hour until she wakes up.”

Lily’s lips curved up. “That’s what you think. It’s the day after Christmas, isn’t it?”

“That it is.”

“And aren’t we going to the palace in Valentia to see your family?”

“Our family. And yes.”

“She’s been excited about that for weeks now.”

“I know.”

“So, she’s likely to get up early because of it.”

He chuckled. “Probably. But I asked her not to come in early today unless she really needed us.”

Lily tilted her head up. “You did?”

He brushed a hand over her hair. “Oh, yes. There was one present I didn’t give you yesterday.”

She leaned back, but he kept her within his arms. “Another present?”

He nodded. “Can you guess what it is?”

She swallowed. “I can guess, but I don’t want to be wrong.”

He tightened his arms around her. “I had to wait, you see, until our anniversary.”

Her voice was breathless. “Our anniversary?”

“Of the day we met almost six years ago. I met you for the first time on December twenty-sixth.”

She gasped. “Lorenzo.”

“Yesterday, when you didn’t find a ring in your presents, I saw your disappointment, but I wanted to wait. I hope you can forgive me for any pain I caused you.”

“I, well, yes. Yes, I was a little upset you didn’t ask me. It was so beautiful and perfect, and it was our first holiday as a family. It seemed the perfect moment.”

“That was a perfect moment for us as a family. But I wanted a perfect moment for us, as a couple, and this is it.”

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