Page 140 of The Genius
“It’s not a cabin, it’s a house.”
“That’ll work too.”
“So you’ll marry me then,” Shelly asked. “Despite all the things that come with it.”
“That’s a big fucking yes.” I stopped breathing, hope making my chest swell up. “Did you just say yes to my proposal?”
Shelly’s pretty face softened and her eyes teared up. “Yes, Marco, I’ll marry you.” Her voice broke a little, and a rush of euphoria made me scream with joy.
“You mean it?”
“Yes.”
Cupping her face with both hands, I stared deep into her eyes. “Right now? Can we do it tonight in front of everyone here?”
Shelly’s sweet chuckle made me let go of her face. “Yes, Marco, we can marry tonight.”
Ever since I was a boy my biggest goal had been to become one of the few Nmen to share his life with a woman and enjoy the rare privilege of fatherhood.
I held Shelly’s hand and felt eight feet tall when we walked back to the others, my insides bursting with the news.
As soon as we joined the party the white noise of talk went silent.
“Is everything all right?” Khan asked and got up from his seat. “I got the impression Shelly was interested in a tournament.”
“She’s not,” I said in a firm voice, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Shelly is only interested in marryingme.”
Gasps and mumbling were heard and I let my eyes scan the group of men that I’d once taught. “Shelly ismine.”
“Is this true?” Pearl stepped forward looking straight at Shelly, her eyes falling to our linked hands.
“Yes. Marco and I have been seeing each other for a while now. We’re starting a family together.”
A fist slammed down on a table and I looked over to see Nero stand up. “You lucky bastard, Marco. How did you swing that one? As I recall it, you two used to bicker all the time.”
I gave a lopsided grin. “That gives hope for you and Raven, doesn’t it?”
Raven wrinkled her nose up at Nero, who was looking at her. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop! It’s not going to happen in a million years. I’d rather sit in a tree for a year than kiss you.”
“How about me? Would you kiss me?” Plato called out with a sparkle of humor in his eyes.
“Does that mean you’ll be moving to the Northlands on a permanent basis, Shelly?” Khan asked.
“Not right now. Marco has agreed to move down south with me. There’s a wonderful village by the sea where the water is warm all year round,”
“Not fair.” Nero sat down again and several of the Nmen muttered about beaches with warm water being a fucking dream.
I couldn’t hide the big smug grin on my face. I would be just as envious if I were them, but this was my time to win the big prize and Shelly was it.
“Lord Khan, Marco and I would like for you to perform the marriage ceremony tonight,” Shelly said and squeezed my hand.
“Are you sure about this?” my sister Rochelle asked.
“Yes, I’ve thought a lot about it and Marco has asked me several times.”
“You didn’t have to tell them that,” I whispered.
“I just meant that it’s not a rash decision,” she clarified for Rochelle.
