Page 94 of Under the Mistletoe
My throat is dry, my mouth agape. I have no words.
“That’s beautiful.” I look at my aunt Vivian, seeing her eyes water.
“Donovan, I don’t know what to say.” I’m flabbergasted. “Thank you. This means so much to me. To Mabel—Oh, she would be so excited.” I grin, thinking of my friend.
“She is. She and Bentley have been working on it together for a few weeks. We’re hopeful to get it off the ground in the New Year.”
“You’re so special to me, you know that?” I rise from the sofa and walk to where he stands, giving him a hug, and he wraps me up tight.
Uncle Bobby clears his throat, and I roll my lips in a smile.
“I have something else for you.”
“Something else?” Surprise and confusion take over.
“It’s no secret that you have completely changed me for the better. Meeting you was without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t want to spend every minute with you. You make me smile, make me laugh, make me think, and have made me a better man in all the ways that matter. Now I know you’re someone who likes to cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i,’ so I spoke with your uncle today, and he’s given me his blessing…”
I look to Uncle Bobby with wide eyes, seeing his cheeks red, his smile bright, nothing but pride on his face. I turn back to Donovan in time to see him fall to a knee.
“Oh my God…” My eyes start to water, my hands shaking. Is this really happening?
“So, my love. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you be with me every day? Will you cherish me with the same fierce tenderness you’ve always shown? Will you laugh with me when life is light, will you cook pasta with me in the kitchen, and let me hold you when life gets heavy? And build a life with me, together by my side?”
“Oh my…” The words are a mere whisper as he presents a black velvet box, opening it to reveal a diamond, a big one, glistening in the lights.
“Yes, Donovan, yes, I will marry you.” I barely get the words out before he lunges, grabbing me around the waist and lifting me to him. I loop my hands around his neck and kiss him fiercely.
I hear my aunt and uncle clap and chuckle as Donovan puts me down on my feet and slides the ring on my finger.
“Forever mine, baby,” he tells me, and I melt into his embrace.
“Forever yours,” I agree without hesitation. Knowing here with him is where I was always meant to be.
Epilogue - Donovan
I’ve finished work and couldn’t wait to get home. The snowfall early in New York means a white Christmas is now a certainty.
“Hello!” I’m home!” I holler as the elevator doors open into the penthouse, and I throw my coat and briefcase to the side, eager to see my wife.
My wife. A word that I now throw around to everyone and everywhere. We had a small ceremony with our closest friends and family in Lake Placid. Away from the prying media and the city. In the place that has always felt like ours. I took her for a quick honeymoon in Italy, where we sealed our fate by conceiving under the cool moonlight in March after eating our weight in fresh pasta.
I stride into the living area and pull up short, because there she is. My business shirt on, the buttons stretched, a face mask covering her pretty face, a cute pair of fluffy slippers on her feet, and her beautiful belly now front and center. The twenty-four-hour news channel blaring.
“Oh, good you’re home,” she says, pushing herself to stand, and I stride over to her, not wanting her to push herself too hard.
“Fuck, you’re cute.” My lips hit hers quickly and our tongues mesh like we didn’t just see each other this morning. But, she’s so beautiful.
“How are you feeling?” I rub her belly, feeling the now familiar push at her side. This baby is itching to get out and with only a few days left before her due date, it’s coming any moment now.
“Fine. I just saw on the news, Europe is expected to have an unbelievably warm summer this year…”
“You’re meant to be resting…” I give her a warning look, and she rolls her eyes at me. I’m surprised Bob and Vivian aren’t here; they’ve been here almost every day. Not that I mind. I’m trying to finish a deal before I take a big chunk of time off when the baby comes.
“Rest? I can’t rest. I’ve been thinking, the sprinkler shop should ship international.” Her eyes light up, and I laugh. Fuck, I love this woman.
“What does Bob think?”
Her mind is always racing, on the next deal, on the next advancement.
