Collide Into Ruin

Chapter 28 Three Keys, Three Hearts

The airport buzzed with the usual symphony of arrivals and departures, but for Emilia, the only sound that truly mattered was the rich, honeyed voice of the man standing before her.

"Missed me, darling?" Henry's lips curled into a smirk, his hazel eyes gleaming as he held her gaze.

Emilia's face burned with warmth, her lips still tingling from the kiss he had just stolen—one that left her breathless and flushed. She playfully shoved at his chest, though her heart felt lighter than ever. "You are too much."

Henry laughed, the sound deep and full of warmth, as he reached over and buckled her seatbelt before securing his own. "I didn't expect you to come pick me up with Cayden," he teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I gotta say, my three hearts are floating right now."

Emilia rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh please, don't get used to it."

Cayden snorted from the front seat, throwing a glance back at them in the rearview mirror. "You two need a room."

Henry only grinned wider, his hand casually reaching for Emilia's, lacing their fingers together. "We have a whole house for that, but for now, the back seat will have to do."

"Henry!" Emilia gasped, smacking his arm as Cayden groaned.

Henry chuckled, bringing her knuckles to his lips. "Alright, alright, I'll behave. For now."

The drive from the airport was nothing short of sweet. Henry, still holding her hand, talked about his trip to Hong Kong, his voice animated as he recounted both the business deals and the stunning cityscape. "I'll admit," he said, squeezing her fingers lightly, "Hong Kong was breathtaking. The lights, the energy—it's something else. But, I missed home. I missed my family."

Emilia gave him a sideways glance, her heart swelling. "Oh?" she teased. "And I suppose I fall into that category?"

Henry smirked. "You are home, darling."

Emilia felt her breath hitch, her stomach flipping at his words. The warmth in his voice made her heart swell, and she had to look away to compose herself.

"Anyway," Henry continued, oblivious to the way he had just made her melt, "I was thinking—since I'm back, I'd love to take you to brunch at my parent's place this weekend."

Emilia straightened, blinking. "Your parent's place? Like... family brunch?"

Henry chuckled. "Yes, Em. My parent's place. Where people gather and eat and talk and—"

"Henry!" She lightly smacked his arm again, making him laugh. "I just... I didn't expect that."

"What, are you nervous?" he teased, his grin widening.

She bit her lip. "I mean... maybe?" Of course Em was nervous about meeting Henry's family. It's a big step for them despite him already calling her his wife. Emilia wanted to meet his family but she was worried they wouldn't like her.

Henry leaned in, his beard brushing against her cheek as he lowered his voice. "Don't be. They're going to love you. My mom has been dying to meet you—she's practically been nagging me about it for months. The whole family just wants me happy, and, well, you make me happy."

Emilia's breath caught in her throat, her heart doing an embarrassing little flip. "Henry..."

Before she could say anything else, he playfully pressed a kiss to her temple. "And if anyone gives you a hard time, just stick close to me. I'll protect you."

"Oh please," she scoffed. "Like I need your protection."

Henry chuckled. "True. But I like having an excuse to keep you close."

Emilia shook her head, unable to fight the smile on her lips. Just then, as Cayden pulled up to the house, Henry wasted no time. He unbuckled her seatbelt, scooped her up effortlessly, and delicately set her down before peppering her face with kisses.

"Henry! Stoppp!" Emilia squealed between uncontrollable giggles, the ticklish brush of his beard sending shivers through her.

Henry grinned against her skin, holding her firmly in place. "Never," he murmured before catching her chin between his fingers and stealing one last, deep, breathtaking kiss.

By the time they pulled away, Emilia's head was spinning, her face warm as she met his gaze. Henry smirked at her, impossibly smug and utterly charming.

"Missed me, darling?" he repeated, this time softer, more teasing.

Emilia's blush deepened. She pushed at his chest again, though it was halfhearted. "You are too much."

Henry laughed, his eyes twinkling as he finally let her go, leading her toward the house. "And yet, you love me for it."

She huffed, but the smile on her face betrayed her. "Unfortunately."

Henry threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they stepped inside. "Lucky me, then."

Cayden shook his head as he climbed out of the driver's seat. "Seriously, I'm getting second-hand cavities from you two. I'm out before I witness something I can't unsee."

Emilia snickered as Henry waved him off. "Thanks for the ride, Cayden. We'll make sure to send you a wedding invite when Emilia finally gives in."

Cayden scoffed. "Oh, I'll be there. Front row. Just to watch her make you sweat."

With that, he disappeared into his car, leaving Henry and Emilia standing in front of their home.

Henry smirked. "Oh, of course."

Emilia smirked right back. "Well, first you must find three keys. I locked them away in three separate locations..."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "And what do these keys look like?"

Emilia merely gave him wide, innocent eyes and shrugged. "You'll know when you see them."

Curious, Henry immediately started searching. The first key was in the kitchen, tucked into the arms of a small blue octopus plushie with a winky face. A little sticker on it read, "Open Me." When he opened the cooler, he found it fully stocked with his favorite meats and desserts.

Henry whistled; eyes gleaming as he turned to Emilia. "Are you trying to fatten me up, so I won't run away?"

Emilia chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "No, just making sure you never have a reason to."

He smirked, walking up to her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Too late. I was already hooked on you, sweets." He kissed her nose before pulling away, holding the octopus plushie up. "Now, what does my little friend have to do with all this?"

Instead of answering, Emilia chuckled. "Check the corner."

Henry followed her gaze and spotted a door. Testing the handle, he found it locked. He inserted the key from his little blue friend and turned it. The door swung open, revealing a large, wrapped present. As he tore away the paper, his eyes widened in amazement-it was the newest, most high-tech grill on the market.

Henry let out an exaggerated gasp, placing a hand on his heart. "Emilia, are you proposing to me? Because this-this is marriage material."

Emilia snorted. "You wish."

Henry grinned, walking over and pulling her into a deep, lingering kiss. "You're spoiling me, sweetheart."

She smirked against his lips. "Only the best for my troublemaker. Now, are you ready for the next surprise?"

She pointed to the backyard, where Henry's eyes widened at the sight of a luxurious outdoor paradise-a fire pit surrounded by plush seating, a pool, a fully stocked bar, and in the corner, a glass case with a red octopus plushie. He strolled over, curiosity piqued as he spotted a sign next to it that simply read, "Open Me." With a grin, he lifted the lid, revealing a brand-new hot tub.

Henry turned to Emilia, smirking. "Oh, sweetheart, you do realize this means I'm getting you in here with me, right?"

"Only if you play your cards right," she teased, voice laced with mischief.

He chuckled, his fingers brushing against hers as she reached him. "At this point, I don't think there's a wrong way to play."

Em arched a brow, that knowing smirk still lingering. "Oh, you'd be surprised."

She stepped even closer, her body barely a breath away from his, before slipping a small black box from her pocket. Henry's eyes flickered between the box and her expression, intrigued. "Ready for your last surprise?"

He exhaled a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Em, you've already outdone yourself. I don't think you can top any of this."

Her only response was a chuckle, warm and amused, before she lifted the lid.

Inside, nestled against soft fabric, were two sets of cuffs-crafted with care, one adorned with an intricately designed octopus, the other with his initials, carefully etched into the metal.

For a moment, Henry just stared, his usual quick wit silenced by the weight of the gesture. He traced the design with the pad of his finger, feeling the ridges and details, absorbing what this meant. She had thought of him. Crafted something just for him.

"They're... incredible," he murmured, looking up at her, his voice lower now, something deeper threading through it. "You made these?"

He thumbed over the tiny octopus, exhaling softly. It wasn't just a design—he knew exactly what it meant. Resilient, intelligent, always adapting. The kind of creature that could slip through anything but still held its ground when it mattered. It was them. The way they always found their way back to each other, no matter the odds. The way she always seemed to know exactly what he needed, even when he didn't say it out loud.

Em nodded, watching him carefully, gauging his reaction. "I had a little help with the etching, but yeah."

Henry let out a breath, his heart knocking hard against his ribs. It was a gift, yes, but it was also a piece of her. A quiet, unspoken declaration.

His hand found her waist, fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt as he pulled her close. "I think you might just be trying to ruin me."

Em's breath hitched, but her smirk didn't waver. "And if I am?"

Henry traced the design on the cuff, his chest tightening. It wasn't just a gift—it was a reminder. A quiet vow that she saw him, understood him in a way no one else ever had. He'd spent so much of his life moving, adapting, never quite settling. But with Emilia, there was no need to shift, no need to be anything but himself. She was his anchor in ways he hadn't even realized he needed. And that terrified him. It thrilled him. And God, he was in too deep.

He didn't answer with words. Instead, he captured her mouth with his, the kiss starting slow, almost reverent, before heat surged through him like a spark to dry kindling.

She melted against him, her hands sliding up his chest before gripping the back of his neck, pulling him even closer. His fingers traced the curve of her spine, the warmth of her skin beneath his touch sending a pulse of fire straight through him.

He deepened the kiss, tasting the faintest hint of whatever she'd been drinking earlier, but more than that-he tasted her. The teasing, the heat, the emotion just beneath the surface.

By the time they finally broke apart, Emilia's lips were swollen, her breathing uneven—but that damn smirk was still firmly in place. She wiggled her eyebrows. "So... hot tub?"

Henry let out a breathless laugh, his forehead dropping against hers. "That was a hell yes."

She grinned. "Good. Because I may or may not have already turned it on before I tackled you."

Henry pulled back, eyes narrowing. "You planned this?"

Emilia gasped, all faux innocence. "Me? Scheme to get you half-naked in bubbling hot water? Never."

Henry chuckled, already lifting her into his arms. "You are ridiculous."

"And yet," she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck, "you love it."

"Unfortunately for me," he said, carrying her toward the hot tub, "you're right."