Chapter 28
Bianca
Niko chuckles. “My mama is over the moon about this baby. Alex’s kids call her MarMar. I’m sure ours will do the same so I have no idea why she’s testing out Mimi.”
“It’s Gaga this week,” I point out.
He rolls his eyes.
“She’s excited!”
“Yeah,” he admits, wrapping an arm around me as we admire our tree.
We decorated yesterday after Niko and Andrés entered the apartment with the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen in Spain. Apparently, Niko insisted since his mama usually puts up four trees, each with a theme, and while he’s not admitting he’s homesick, I know he misses his family’s traditions.
Andrés and I shared a laugh over Niko’s over-the-top Christmas decorating, but I love that he’s excited for the holiday. It makes me realize just how magical this time of year will be for our baby.
I drag my hand over my belly. “I can’t believe she’ll be here this time next year.”
“I know. It’s going to be so different.” He rubs my back gently. “Better,” he adds before stepping away. He meanders into the kitchen, snags a Christmas cookie that I baked with Marlowe and Antonio yesterday, and pops it into his mouth.
Over the last few weeks that Niko has been in Valencia, we’ve settled into our new normal—living together, planning for our baby’s arrival, and committing our love to each other each day.
It’s felt blissful and natural. It’s felt like something greater than I could even conceive before I experienced it.
Niko slips back into the kitchen to snag another cookie.
I laugh. “Save some for your family! They’ll be here in two days.”
He winks and takes a big bite of the cookie.
“Niko!”
Niko dusts crumbs from his hands. “That was my last one, I swear.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Are you still up for going out to dinner tonight?”
I nod. “Absolutely.” Considering the timeline of Niko’s and my relationship, we haven’t had many opportunities to go on dates like a normal couple. Now that he’s in Valencia full-time, I’m taking advantage of every night I spend with him.
Two hours later, we head out to a trendy restaurant in Ruzafa. He holds my hand as we walk under the Christmas lights threaded across each street.
“I love this time of year,” he admits.
“Yeah,” I murmur, glancing at the lights.
“This year feels different, in a good way,” I rush to add.
“After my mama passed, the holidays were hard. Sometimes, I couldn’t even get back to Valencia so Luca and I would spend them apart, both of us with friends.
But this year…it feels magical again. Like anything can happen. ”
Niko nods in understanding. “Anything can happen, Bee. It’s our fresh start.”
“Exactly,” I agree.
Niko pulls open the door to the restaurant and I enter.
“I’m not going to lie, this weather beats the brutal winter of Chicago. But it doesn’t feel as festive without the frostbite-level of cold.”
I snicker. “There’s no chance of snow on Christmas, Karas. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“My hopes for this Christmas are already sky high, Honeybee. I don’t need snow.”
The hostess greets us and shows us to our table.
Once we’re seated, we flip through the menu, decide on an assortment of tapas, and place our order.
Then, I spend the rest of the evening lost in conversation with my boyfriend, savoring every second I spend in his company.
We share stories of our childhoods, laugh over silly sibling pranks, and confide our dreams for the future.
The same vulnerability from our weekend in New York is present, reminding me that I gave pieces of myself to Niko Karas even before I knew him.
It’s like I intrinsically trusted this man and deep down, knew he would change my life.
And he is. In the best ways possible.
The following morning, I’m woken up by a persistent tug on my finger.
“Mm,” I murmur. “What is it?”
Niko’s quiet chuckle fills the air.
Again, a tug on my finger, more insistent this time.
“What?” I groan, brushing my hair out of my face and opening my eyes. I catch Niko’s gaze, his expression boyish and filled with amusement. “What are you doing?”
He shrugs. My finger jerks again.
I look down and gasp.
Because on my left ring finger is a gorgeous diamond engagement ring tied to a string that Niko keeps pulling on.
Emotion—raw, unfiltered, and giddy—rolls through me. “Niko…”
He drops to the side of my bed, his expression turning solemn.
“This isn’t how I planned to do this, Honeybee.
I was going to wait for my family. Or organize something with yours since I already spoke to your brother.
I was going to plan a dinner, something romantic.
” He takes my hand in his, his thumb brushing over the ring.
“But when I think of us, me and you together, we’re all for spontaneity and living in the moment.
We’re goofy and honest and real. And sometimes, it’s messy, or funny, or complicated.
But it’s always us. I know our lives have turned upside down these last six months, but I’ve never been surer of the man I am or the woman I want to spend my life with.
I love you with my whole heart, Bianca. I fell for you from that first encounter and didn’t know it.
I’m so proud of the woman you are and the mother you’re becoming.
And I want to build a life, a family, with you.
I want to be your man, always. And I know I can be traditional and old-fashioned, but that’s not what this is.
I want to marry you, Bianca, and call you my wife. Please, Honeybee, say yes and let me.”
Holy shit. Tears spring to my eyes.
“Don’t cry, honey.”
“They’re happy tears,” I promise.
He smiles and brushes them away, leaning closer to kiss me gently.
“Yes,” I whisper against his lips. “Yes, Niko. I want to be your wife.”
“Yeah?” He pulls back, looking at me with undiluted joy in his eyes.
“Yes,” I repeat, laughing.
And then, Niko springs on top of me, careful not to squash our baby, and rolls us until our noses touch. “You make me happier than I have any right to be.”
“You make me whole.”
He palms my cheek and brings my mouth to his for a deep kiss. “It was always meant to be us, Bianca.”
“Always,” I agree, threading my fingers through his hair. “I love you.”
“I love you more, Honeybee.”
And then, my fiancé Niko makes love to me in the early morning hours, proving just how complete we are together. I fall asleep in his arms, dreaming of our future and all the Christmases we’ll share.