Page 50 of Where There's Smoke…
“Yes, yes, I do,” I nod, wiping my tears as best I can.
“Sweets, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife? It would make me the happiest woman alive,” she says. “Angel, will you marry me?”
“Of course!” I squeal and pull her up. “Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!”
Skyler and Ms. Nancy clap as Phoenix pulls me in for a kiss. I was floating in the clouds because I couldn’t believe this was happening. Here I was, stressed that I was moving too fast, but Phee had already planned everything out the whole time, and it was perfect! She made me feel like the luckiest woman in the world, and as I admired my ring, I knew that I was.
“Phoenix, you've got to stop with the surprises,” I whine as we step into the private dining room of one of my favorite restaurants. I could feel the tears beginning to fall again as I took in all the smiling faces of the people around us.
After the proposal earlier today, she convinced me to take the rest of the day off to spend some time together. We didn’t really do much except cuddle and kiss as we watched TV, but I loved everysecond of it. When dinner time came around, she informed me that she’d made reservations at my favorite restaurant, and I was beyond excited. I wasn’t expecting to walk into a room and be greeted by all my closest friends and family.
“Now, you know that’s not going to happen,” she chuckles as she takes my hand in hers. “I wanted today to be special, so of course I had to invite the most important people in your life.”
“God, I love you so much,” I say as she escorts me to our designated spots at the table. “You know how to make me feel loved.”
“It’s what you deserve, Sweets,” she assures me with a kiss. “Now, how about we celebrate?”
“I’d love that.”
Over the next few hours, we spend time with our loved ones, and it’s almost like there is a permanent smile on my face. Being able to share a moment like this was not something I ever expected to happen. Like I said before, I’ve never thought about getting married, but now I was more excited than ever to take that next step. I knew that this was the right path, and I couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for us.
“Happiness looks good on you, friend.” I jump as Maddox chuckles from my right. I narrow my eyes playfully as he pulls me in for a hug. “Congratulations, Angel. I’m so excited for you and Phee.”
“Thanks, Madd,” I smile as we break apart. My eyes drift over to where Phoenix is joking and laughing with her friends. She must sense me looking because she glances my way and winks before turning back around. I feel myself swoon a little. “God, she’sso fine.”
“Wanna hear a little secret?” I turn to look at Maddox as he leans against the door. I nod. “Last year, after you left, Phee always asked me if I’d heard from you. She was so gone for you, and y’all hadn’t even held a full conversation yet. I knew then that she wasn’t gonna stop until she made you hers.”
“Wait, she was checking for me for that long?” I asked, genuinely surprised. He nodded.
“Then that day that you ran into her outside of my shop, do you know what she said once she finally came in?” I shake my head. “She told me she thought you were the angel her grandpa had sent her. She couldn’t explain why she felt that way, but she said something about your aura drew her in. She believed that you were special and that y’all were somehow meant to be.”
“Sounds like something she’d say,” I giggle.
“Yeah, but of course, I told her she was weird and probably just overly attracted to you, because let’s face it, you’re fine as hell,” he shrugs, and I playfully roll my eyes. “But as time went on, I realized that what y’all had was something more. I see it every time y’all are around each other. I see it every time y’all talk about each other. Angel, I truly believe that y’all are soulmates. You really found your person, and I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Maddox, please don’t make me cry,” I say as the tears start forming. He chuckles, pulling me back into a hug and rubbing my back.
“What are you over here telling my fiancée that has her crying again?” I hear Phoenix chuckle as we break apart. I move overto wrap my arms around her and rest my head against her chest. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“Nothing,” I assure her as I let out a contented sigh. “Nothing at all. Everything’s perfect.”
“Well, in that case, how about we head home to…continue our celebration?” I look up at her and she had that smirk on her face that I’m so fucking weak to. I could feel my body heating up; all I could do was nod. “Come on then, Sweets.”
We spent a few minutes saying goodbye to everyone, and then we headed back to Phee’s place. On the way there, we talked about moving in together, and I happily accepted her invitation to officially move into her house. Hell, that’s where I’d been staying every night for the last month or so anyway. I realized after those few days we were apart after the fire that I didn’t want or need to be away from her. I wanted to be near her whenever I could. Now, I didn’t have to worry because we’d permanently be under the same roof soon. I couldn’t wait.
“I hope you know that I plan on keeping you up all night,” she says as we walk through the door. She locks it and then backs me up against it, her hands gripping my waist. I moan. “You ready for that, Sweets?”
“You know I am, Phoenix.”
Those five words are all it takes for her to pick me up and carry me to the bedroom. I relaxed against the pillows as she began to give attention to every part of my body. I felt at peace, and as I lay there enjoying every orgasm that she gifted me with, all I could think about was how much I loved her.
And how much I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.
Epilogue.
Phoenix“Phee”Preston-May 10th, 2027
I stood there, pacing as my heart beat hard against my chest. I can’t believe that in less than an hour, I will be marrying the love of my life. I’d never been so nervous about anything, so this feeling was brand new to me. Honestly, I didn’t know why I was stressing. Everything was beautiful.
