Chapter Thirty One
Shake The Magic 8 Ball
Everly’s POV:
“W-what?” I stutter.
I can’t focus on anything above the sound of my heartbeat pounding within my ears.
The world seems to have stopped spinning on its axis while the oxygen in my lungs is ever fleeting.
He looks at me with those full lash framed icy orbs, his face nearly pleading for an answer and all I can manage to do is keep staring at him.
Never in a million years would I have imagined for someone like Ghost to ask for my hand in marriage.
It seems impossible for someone like me to find love or happiness.
Yet here I sit across from my twin flame, as he seeks a lifetime bound to me.
What should I say? Yes? What would a marriage with him entail?
I would assume much of the same things we have now.
Would he expect children? I’ve never asked.
Do I even want children? I don't even know. What happens if I say no? Would he leave me? My heart instantly constricts to an almost painful magnitude at the thought. I don’t want to live in a world that doesn't have him in it.
Would I have to change my name? Would we run our own mafias or does marriage mean I would be giving up the power to him? My head continues to spin.
“Siren? Hey, come back to me.” His voice funnels its way into my ears while his hands cup my face. I blink in response.
“Do you want children?” I say impulsively. Due to the way he holds my face, my lips pucker causing my voice to come out distorted.
“Children?” He asks with amusement.
“Yes, do you want them?” I nod softly. Maybe I am stalling or maybe it's a deal breaker for me. I have no clear answer.
“Only if you want them. I could have ten or none. At the end of it all, I just want you. No kids? Great, I have more of you to myself. A whole sports team? Wonderful, as long as you are a part of them.” His voice is gentle, but the meaning behind his words gives me butterflies.
I must not answer soon enough because he starts talking again.
“Whatever scenarios are going through that beautiful mind of yours, we will work through them together.” He offers a small smile at the end. He must give me some of his confidence because my mind is made up in seconds.
“Yes.” I smile and hold onto his wrists while his hands are still firmly placed on the sides of my face.
“Yes?” His breath falters as his eyes rapidly dance around my face.
“Yes, Ghost, I’ll marry you. Shit, of course I’ll marry you.” I softly chuckle, finding humor in the fact that I even had to mull it over.
He pulls my head into his, bringing our lips together.
The kiss is passionate and heavy. He pulls me up from my seat and guides my legs around his waist. Spinning around, I squeal and hysterically laugh.
He joins me in laughter all without breaking our kiss.
My heart has never felt so full and my life has never felt so complete.
I didn’t know what I had been missing until this very moment.
The idea of spending the rest of my life with this man is like finding the Fountain Of Youth within The City of Atlantis.
Surreal and extraordinarily exceptional, a treasure trove of incomprehensible perfection.
I think about our impending wedding, being surrounded by family.
That's when it hits me like a tsunami…my parents. They have no idea that I am alive. I didn’t even think to call them.
I was so wrapped up in Ghost that it wasn’t until this moment that the thought crossed my mind.
Not only will I come home to tell them I'm alive, but that I'm also engaged. They are going to lose it. It took weeks after our capture for them to not look at Ghost with pure contempt. That was one of the most deadly scenes I’ve watched to date. If it wasn’t for the guys holding my dad down, I think he would have tried killing Ghost.
“We have to celebrate!” He cheers before standing. Slowly, he releases me while I slide down to a standing position.
“Wait, I realized that I never told my family…that I’m alive.” Fear is clear on my face.
“I've already taken care of it. I called your father after you fell asleep. He was understandably upset but soon that turned to joy. I also told him of my intentions to marry you.” Ghost’s face gives away nothing.
“And? Did he give you his blessing?” My nerves are firing a million miles a minute and I am abundantly aware of the fact that I still stand naked before him.
“I believe his words were… Over my dead body.” He says the last part with air quotes. I fight back tears just as he continues to speak.
“So I asked, how about my father’s?” He smiles a devilish grin while looking over my face.
“You’re killing me here. What did he say?” I practically beg.
“He told me if I exterminate my father from existence, he will personally hand deliver you to me at the end of the aisle.” This causes me to squeal like a child and Ghost to groan while covering his ears.
“Siren, I love to hear you scream but my god woman.” He laughs. I join him in laughter until we both slow to a giggle.
“We are really doing this.” I say more as a question than a statement.
“We are really doing this.” He confirms.
“What will our mafias think?” My question is laced with laughter.
“They will not have seen a more powerful unity in nearly a century. Everly, we will hold power in nearly half the world. Even if they were not happy about it, they would not be so stupid to say so. They would always be on the winning side.” The conviction in his tone gives me the confidence to nod in approval.
Taking his hand, I lead him towards the outdoor pool.
The weight of my new jewelry is evident around my neck as it bumps against my chest with each step.
I can’t help but smile like a schoolgirl.
My fiancé. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that word.
It feels surreal and tangible all at once.
Like wet sand between your toes at the water's edge.
Solid under your feet but like quick sand, it pulls you deeper.
Like if I blink, he will slip away and the darkness will drag me off in the current.
We have faced so much in such a short time, the idea of losing it all is unfathomable.
A life without this man would be one not worth living.
We are eternal the way the sun is always chasing the moon.
Except Ghost is my moon. His gravity pulls me towards a predetermined destiny and like the sun, I rise everyday waiting to chase my moon across time.
Ghost’s POV:
She pulls me along so delicately, a stark difference to the chaotic rhythm of my heart.
She said yes. She actually agreed to spend the rest of her life with me.
I have loved this woman since I was sixteen.
If you had told me then that she would later be my future wife, I might have popped a boner right there.
The fact that I am not freaking out is beyond me.
My desire for her has never died. This desire has only deepened.
It’s become complex and like wildfire, spreads faster than my mind can comprehend.
Everyday I fall deeper into her hypnosis, a willing victim to her spell.
We find ourselves at the edge of the outdoor pool.
She doesn't hesitate to guide me down the stairs and into the warm water.
Finally, she lets go of my hand to swim a few lengths before turning over to float on her back.
I could watch her like this for hours but I'll settle for the seconds she has graced me with.
My fiancé. My mind races as my heart matches its pace.
I think of our future, the possibilities being endless.
I picture her with a swollen belly. I imagine holidays and celebrations.
Thoughts of gray hairs, tired bones, and the tranquility in knowing our physical time on earth soon comes to a close but our souls will continue their dance with each other.
The absolution in binding our beings in every possible way.
The resolution to a journey spent full of laughter and many tears.
All that I cannot wait to see. Soon, we find ourselves in each other's arms. Not a single word needs to be said while we gaze at the stars.
We both telepathically share a similar feeling of contentment.
Before long, we find our naked bodies laid against each other free falling into slumber. Dreams willed with a bright future.
Everly’s POV:
The rest of our trip floats by in a blink.
Fourteen blissful days spent wrapped up in each other coming to an end all too quickly.
What awaits us on our return is both liberating and unknown.
One thing is for certain, Ghost’s father is going to die.
Maybe not tomorrow or the day after, but very soon that man’s blood will run and he will stand to face justice.
An unbeatable engagement gift, if you ask me.
We pack our items, board the boat, and sail into our new life.
One that will make monsters cower and angels cry.