Page 139 of Whispers in the Dark
My heart races as I glance around. “Giving me what?”
A home for your father.
A small gasp flees my lips. “What?”
He takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips, kissing the ring before pressing my palm against his chest. I feel the beat of his heart, mirroring my own.
You are my heart, Alina.
He places his hand over mine and uses his middle finger to tap twice against his chest.
“My heart,” I whisper in disbelief. “That’s what you’ve been signing every time you did that?”
He nods, reaching out to cup my cheek, his thumb running over my skin.I’m adding an addition to our home so your father will have his own space. He will receive round-the-clock care from someone who will be staying with us. I have arranged for the best doctors to be on call for him, and I’ve scheduled a time for you to meet with them to discuss any concerns you might have. I’d have him transported here tonight, but the addition won’t be completed for a few weeks, and I assume the construction noise might be too much for him.
“I…” My throat burns as I blink back the tears coating my eyes. “I can’t believe you would do all of this for me.”
I will do anything for you.
I shake my head in disbelief, staring at the space that is soon to be my father’s new residence. No longer will I have to commute to see him because he’ll be a thirty-second walk from where I’ll be.
“I don’t know what to say,” I say softly, wiping at my eyes.
There’s only one word I’ve been dreaming of hearing you say.
Suddenly, he steals my breath as he drops to one knee before me. My heart pounds beneath my chest as I watch him reach into his pocket and retrieve a black ring box. Pulling back the lid, I see the most beautiful amethyst engagement ring surrounded by brilliant diamonds, resting against the satin cushion.
He places the box on the ground beside his leg and then looks up at me.I know that technically we’re married, but I want to do this the right way. I want to give youthe fairy tale wedding you’ve always dreamed of.He grins, and despite the tears blurring my vision, I can’t help but smile.Seven and a half years ago, I was surrounded by so much darkness. I felt lost and alone. Scared out of my mind. And then you happened. You became the light that illuminated the dark for me, even if you didn’t know it.He pauses, drawing in a deep breath.Being married to you, only temporarily, is not going to be long enough for me. Not when you’re the reason for every beat of my heart.He pats the center of his chest.It’s only ever belonged to you. Only you.
“Mauro…” I breathe, feeling my knees shaking against one another.
I can’t envision my life without you, and to be honest, I was never going to sign any damn divorce papers anyway.
I roll in my bottom lip, holding back a grin.
Alina, my heart, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world by staying married to me until our very last breaths on this Earth are taken?
I immediately nod, unable to say a word as so many emotions wash over me, one right after the other. Ones I never thought I would be lucky enough to experience. It takes me a few seconds, but finally, I say, “Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes!” I smile as he slides the ring onto my shaking finger. He stands with what appears to be relief crossing his features, his arms wrapping around me, securing me to his solid chest as he swings me around.
Tilting my face up, I brush my lips over his. “It’s always been you for me.” I cup his cheeks to look directly into his dark eyes when I say, “I love you, Mauro.”
He leans closer, positioning his lips beside my ear. “I…love…” He pauses, taking a steady breath, before saying, “I love you.”
Our lips collide as the sun sets behind us. He shifts me in his hold, carrying me bridal style through the front door of his, or I mean,ourhome.
And that’s when it hits me.
This isn’t a scene I read in one of my books or saw in a movie.
It’s not some daydream I fabricated to help my mind drift off to a peaceful sleep.
This is real life.
And this is way better than any book ending I’ve ever read.
Because all those romance novels have nothing on us.
Epilogue
