Bonus Chapter
Matt
I PLACE TWO MUGS on the wooden tray next to the coffee cake. I’ve been summoned to my bookworm’s lair.
Nat moved in with me pretty much as soon as we decided to give it another go and is absolutely smitten with her attic room. It’s packed with all sorts of knick-knacks and she’s slowly running out of bookshelf space.
We had Alex, the local carpenter, over recently to take a look at the shelves. I casually suggested she might want to go through her books and see if there were any she could part with. That got me promptly banished from the attic. Alex found it hilarious.
It’s her little kingdom. She doesn’t spend too much time up there to worry me but enough that I know building it was one of my better ideas. Being in my arms is still her favourite place, but the attic is a close second.
Last week, she had her friends over—she’s really hit it off with Jane and her group—and they had a literary tea party up there. The sound of their laughter echoing through the house was the best thing ever. Seeing Nat so happy makes me happy.
As for that wanker, he got violent in prison and attacked another inmate so he’s now looking at a longer sentence. He never learns but at least it gives us a few more years of peace.
I carefully carry a tray up to the attic. The door’s closed when I get there so I knock with my foot since balancing a tray in one hand isn’t exactly my strong suit.
“I brought some t—” The words catch in my throat as she opens the door. The lights are off but the room is glowing with dozens of electric candles. Soft music plays in the background. On the floor is our living room rug, which I hadn’t even noticed was missing, along with cushions, pillows, and a duvet. The makeshift bed is surrounded by what looks like autumn leaves, though I’m guessing they’re fake considering it’s a warm June day outside.
There are even a few pumpkins scattered around the room, giving the whole place a Halloween vibe. It’s like I’ve stepped through a time portal.
“What is this?” I ask. Nat just grins at me, taking the tray and placing it on the small kitchen counter.
“I want to ask you something…” she links our fingers and drags me to the makeshift bed, “and I wanted to wait for Halloween but it’s soooooo long until October,” she sighs.
“What do you want to ask me?” I lower myself onto the duvet and Nat scrambles to straddle my lap.
“Matt, I… I never thought I would find my way back to you. I never thought there could be a second chance for us. But it turns out I was wrong.”
She slides her lips over mine before pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss. We’re panting when we separate and she gives me another sheepish grin.
“We’ve been through a lot. Highs and lows. But since we’ve found our way back to each other it’s only been highs. Well, except when you want to sell my babies.” Her eyes dart to the bookshelf which makes me laugh out loud.
“I’m sorry,” I wink and place a soft kiss on her forehead.
“We both know that we might have more dark times ahead but I feel I can get through them with you by my side.” We’re both realistic but I know she’s right and together we can get through anything.
“And so I have one question for you. Matt, will you marry me? This time… forever?”
“I… Nat, I… of course. If I’d known that you’d want that I would have proposed months ago,” I whisper. I wasn’t sure if she’d ever want to get married again.
“We live in a time when it’s okay for a woman to ask,” she shrugs. “Or do you feel emasculated?” The little minx smirks at me.
“No. I just don’t want you to think that I’m a bit of a twerp for not asking first.”
“Matt, you and I don’t play by the rules. We make our own rules. And if you don’t kiss me soon I’ll Zuul you,” she giggles.
“I can’t wait to marry you. I love you more than anything else in the world.”
“If you love me, you kiss me… pronto.” As I pull her into an embrace I know, this time it will be forever.