Page 118 of We Three Kings

Seraphina’s gaze lasers on our little feast of her favorite goodies, then the musical group, and then to me. Too astonished for words, she gapes at me. “It’s all for you angel.”

I guide her to the cozy space and assist her in carefully lowering down. Being a big man who never sits on the ground, I have to manipulate myself too, accompanied by her giggles, to the cover.

Definitely flexing for love but she’s worth the effort. Full of her own emotions, she scrambles to settle between my legs, her back to my chest. She needs to cuddle, and I always have to give her what she needs.

“This is absolutely incredible. I’ve never had anyone do anything this wonderful for me before.”

The crack in her voice wrecks me. I can’t have her cry when I propose. I engulf her with a reverse hug. “The rest of your life will always be this wonderful as my wife.”

I yank off her mitten and glide the ring from my pocket onto her trembling finger. I’m moving too fast and the words I planned to say evaporate because I can’t wait any longer.

This time she surprises me. I expect her to spin around and attack me with kisses. Instead, she stays completely still.

“You want to marry me?”

“More than anything I’ve ever wanted.”

Her shaking hand remains suspended in the air as she stares at the gigantic diamond. I realize I need to slow down and convince her brain what her heart already knows. “Christmas is your favorite time of year. I wanted to make the season that much more special for you with our engagement. But I can’t lie angel. There’s no way in hell I could wait until next year.”

The truth releases some of her tension, and she sinks back into me with a giggle. Thank fuck. I confess the rest. “When we go to your friends’ wedding. London’s fundraiser, M’s fights, everywhere—I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

“That’s important to you?”

I can’t believe she has to ask. “Fuck yes it’s important to me. My rock on your finger signifies you belong to me. The world will know you’re mine—my fiancée.”

The squirm of happiness I’ve been waiting for finally wiggles in her body. “I like that.”

“Then I’ll put another ring on to show you’re my wife. Then babies in your belly that I want everyone to see so they know I’m inside you.”

Finally, she looks back at me. I’ve never seen her more beautiful than in this moment.

“Will you wear my ring too? I want everyone to know you’re my husband.”

My cock hardens into stone from her request. The thought never crossed my mind before, but I love the idea. “Yeah, angel. I’ll wear your ring and never take it off.”

Like a top, she twirls around and pounces, straddling and kissing me with a fervor I’ve never experienced from her.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! I will marry you!”

Funny since I didn’t ask but that’s okay. I’ll take her acceptance just like I took all of her other firsts including becoming a wife and mother. “Settle down angel or I’ll end up fucking you right here in the park with all of them watching.”

With a few last pecks, she cups my face and grins at me. “Okay. I’ll be good.”

“That’s dangerous too.”

She laughs and awkwardly climbs off my lap, back to her original position. Once she settles against my chest, I grab her hot chocolate. I’ll let her enjoy her romantic Christmas proposal for as long as she wants.

Melchior

Out of the corner of my eye as I pass the dining room doorway, I catch sight of Seraphina talking to a guy I assume to be the caterer. I knew he’s supposed to be here early this morning before she went to work so that’s fine. What’s not fine is Seraphina.

She’s not smiling.

Seraphina always smiles.

If she’s not smiling, something’s wrong.

And, I’m pissed.

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