Page 98 of DeLucas After Dark

“Have you thought about taking her back to visit? Sometimes a week or two is enough to cure that homesick feeling so that you can go back to living.”

“I hadn’t asked her in a while. I can only try.”

“Yes.”

“Ami,” Martina waved Beni over.

He nodded, and then he pulled my hand to lead me into the living room. Everybody had moved in there, and Max and Martina were busy pouring wine into glasses. Immediately, Beni directed us to the center of the room, and I grew shaky. Wait … he was doing this now? I figured I had time to let the shock wear off from finding the ring, but it didn’t look like that way.

“Can I have everybody’s attention?” he asked, though his eyes were on me.

I looked over to see my mother sitting nearby, and I searched her face for answers. Poker faced as usual, she didn’t let on to anything. Had he asked her permission first? I know that was usually reserved for fathers, but…

“Like the name I’ve given her, Simone has come into my life, brightening up my entire world. In some of my darkest times, her strength has carried me through. She doesn’t know how to take no for an answer, always looking for a way to get through the cracks and be seen. That’s what this moment is about.” Those words had been spoken to the room and now he was back to being hyper focused on me.

Suddenly confused, I had no clue what he was talking about. Afraid that I had this all wrong, I tugged at my bottom lip with my teeth. Was there something wrong?

“Simone Lashay Flowers, I’ve seen you since day one. The way you shield yourself from pain, pushing forward so it doesn’t sting as badly. The way your entire body lights up when you smile. You give to others without expecting a damn thing in return and when you do get something back, you treat it with care. The way you love me, my family, and friends … Firefly, the way you breathe, sets me on edge, ready to be there for you however I can. You’re so selfless and courageous. Fragile, yet the strongest person that I know. The best part is that you’ve trusted me with your vulnerability, giving me the chance to show you that if you live in your soft femininity, I’ll protect you in all the right ways. I’ll be your strength, carrying us in my masculinity. I know that you’ve got me, and I’ve got you. The only thing missing is that symbol to the world that you’re mine and I’m all yours. Let’s change that…”

Beni got on his knee and pulled a red velvet box from his pocket.

“Oh, my.” I spoke involuntarily, unsure that I could handle this moment.

“Are you ready to honor our commitment of being together forever? I am.”

Stunned stupid, I was speechless. The ring was platinum gold, with interwoven–braided vines that made up the band. The leaves were diamonds, four on one side, and on the other, there was a firefly with a gold tear shaped diamond. In the center of the band, the two sides met at a beautiful cathedral setting, cut cornered princess cut.

Lord of Mercy.

The room remained silent, and I stared at the ring. Could I live up to the pressure of being a wife for the second time? I don’t think that I could handle the pressure of failing again.

“Simone?” Beni swallowed, and I looked up into his eyes.

I knew what our son would look like at that moment. Nervous that he’d done something wrong with every intention of doing it for the right reasons.

“Beast, you make it hard to breathe. You take up so much room inside that sometimes I can’t tell where I end, and you begin. Life feels impossible without you, too.” A tear fell from my eyes, and I knew I was forever doomed. “I love you too much for there to be any other option besides yes. I can’t let you go, ever.”

The entire room let out the air that they seemed to be holding as Beni slid the beautiful ring onto my finger quickly, as if he thought I’d change my mind. I wouldn’t. Couldn’t possibly do that. This man had my whole heart.

He kissed me like it was our first time. Soft and sweet, like a promise we could never forget.

“Salute!” Max shouted proudly to the room and echoes followed.

When Beni finally let us come up for air, we were surrounded by family and friends trying to get hugs. There was a knock at the door, and two of the guards moved toward the door with Martina.

“God, I love you.” Beni spoke directly into my ear, giving me chills.

“You’ll show me later?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Or now…” He moved to go toward the steps, but the room went silent, catching our attention.

We looked at the man who walked into the room commanding attention in the same way that Beni and Max did. He favored them, almost a younger spitting image of Beni’s father.

“Beni…” Martina swallowed, almost as if she was preparing for a war right here in her living room.

Max stood next to her, staring at the man like he’d seen a ghost. Martina’s eyes shifted to me, and I held Beni tighter to me. What the hell was happening?

“Hello, I’m Tammaro DeLuca. Beniamino, Massimo, and Martina’s brother from Italy.”

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