Chapter Thirty-One #2
Aston opens the door, and we step into the crisp night air. He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.
“I don’t know how I’m going to walk on grass in these heels,” I admit.
He chuckles, then bends and lifts me into his arms.
I squeal, looping my arms around his neck. “Aston, you can’t carry me the whole way. It’s too far.”
“Baby, I’d carry you for the rest of my life if it meant I get to hold you,” he says, kissing me softly.
I grin. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Only with you.”
I run my fingers through his hair as he walks, watching him the entire way until he starts to smile. “You keep looking at me like that, and I’m going to get a complex,” he says.
“I’m looking because it feels like I’m seeing you properly for the first time. You’re kind of breathtaking.”
“Breathtaking, huh?”
I nod and kiss him again, and somehow he keeps walking while kissing me back.
Eventually, he stops.
I barely notice until my feet touch the ground again.
His hands slide to my waist, pulling me flush against him as we keep kissing, the familiar feel of him grounding me in a way I didn’t realize I’d missed this much.
Right now, I want only him.
He pulls back slowly, and I pout as I open my eyes. Everything else fades. It’s just him. Just us, and for a moment, it feels like nothing ever went wrong.
“So… what do you think?” he asks.
I blink, confused.
He nods behind me.
I turn and gasp.
Under the willow tree stands a four-post setup draped in white curtains, flowing softly in the breeze.
Inside, a low mattress layered in silk sits surrounded by scattered rose petals.
Candles flicker in every direction, casting warm light across the space, while soft purple lanterns hang above, bathing everything in a gentle glow.
It’s stunning.
I turn back to him, wide-eyed. “Holy shit… it’s beautiful.”
I glance around again, taking it all in. “Did you do all of this?”
He steps in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Yes. I did it for you, Annie.”
I smile brightly as I lift my hand and run my fingers through the back of his hair while he nuzzles into me. I shake my head softly, and Aston guides us forward toward the tent.
We step inside, and I notice soft music playing in the background. I glance around, taking it all in. Could this be any more perfect?
He leads me over to the mattress, and we sit down.
I raise an eyebrow. “Does Dad know you’ve practically set up a bed for us in his backyard?” I tease.
He grins. “Yeah, he does. And I’m under strict instructions not to have sex with you here.”
I laugh. “Like that’s ever stopped us before.”
“Well… we might have something stopping us tonight,” he says, gesturing behind me.
I turn to see a waitress stepping into the tent, and I blink in surprise.
“Good evening. Would you like me to bring your selection of food now, Mr. Soulding?” she asks.
“Yes, thank you.”
She nods and leaves, and I can’t help but laugh softly to myself.
This is unreal.
I kick off my shoes and sink back onto the mattress, resting my head against the soft pillows. Aston joins me, lying beside me, and I turn into him, curling against his side.
“This is amazing, babe. Thank you. I really don’t deserve all this.”
“Annie,” he murmurs. “Stop thinking like that. You deserve everything… and more. You always have.”
“I can’t believe I ever let you go,” I admit.
His expression softens. “It was a tough time for both of us. But I’m not going anywhere, babe. Even if you tell me to. I’m yours… always.”
Warmth spreads through me, settling deep in my chest.
The waitress returns with a platter, and we both sit up as she places it between us. It’s filled with delicate finger foods, each one more impressive than the last.
“Where did you get all this?”
“Your Uncle Joseph helped. He made everything.”
I shake my head, smiling. “You really are a romantic.”
He picks up a crostini and holds it to my lips.
I take a bite, and my eyes widen slightly. “That’s incredible.”
“Good,” he says softly. “Because you deserve to be shown how much I love you. And all this…” he gestures around us, “… doesn’t even come close to how much I feel for you. Not even a little.”
I swallow and lean in, kissing him gently.
“I have a gift for you,” he says, pulling back.
I glance around, smiling. “I thought this was the gift?”
He shakes his head. “No. This is just… tonight. The gift’s something else. I had it made for you. It’s us.”
My smile softens as he hands me a small box.
I untie the purple ribbon and lift the lid.
Inside is a bracelet.
It’s layered, intricate, and completely unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Thin bands of white leather wrap together, and at the top sits a silver infinity symbol.
Beneath it, a band is engraved with the word love.
Another is plaited leather, followed by a set of delicate wings with a diamond at the center.
The final band is another braid, finished with two entwined silver hearts.
I turn it slightly, noticing the clasp adorned with small charms—music notes and a willow tree.
It’s stunning.
Not delicate or overly girly.
It’s bold, a little edgy, and completely me.
“Aston… it’s…” I trail off as he gently takes it from my hands and opens the clasp.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
I look up at him, my eyes stinging. “I love it. I love you!”
He smiles softly as he fastens it around my wrist, his fingers brushing over the leather. “Can I tell you what it all means?” he asks.
I nod, wiping at a tear. “Please.”
He traces the infinity symbol. “This is us… our bond. We’ve known each other forever, and I think we always will.
It doesn’t end.” My chest tightens. “The love one is pretty obvious,” he adds, making me laugh softly.
He moves to the wings. “These… when we’re together, I feel free.
Like I can do anything. Like nothing can hold me down.
” I bite my lip, feeling the same truth settle inside me.
“The hearts are you and me. Always connected. No matter what.” His fingers brush the charm at the clasp.
“And the willow tree… that’s ours. Everything we’ve shared here…
it matters. This place, it’s like it gives something back to us every time we come here.
Like it keeps pulling us together.” A shiver runs down my spine at how accurate that statement is.
“And the music notes…” he finishes, “… that’s Staked.
That’s us when we’re playing. Even after everything, I still remember how it felt. Having you beside me.”
I reach up, cupping his cheek gently. “Aston Soulding… you are the most incredible man I’ve ever known,” I whisper.
“We’ve spent more time apart than together, but I know…
I know we’re not wasting another second.
Not if I can help it.” I take a breath. “And I promise… when we’re on stage, I’ll lean on you every single time. If you’ll have me back.”
He smiles, eyes soft but unwavering. “Baby, I want you to lean on me for everything. For the rest of our lives. I’ve got you, Lennox. Always.” He pulls me into a deep, lingering kiss, and for once, there’s no fear, no doubt, just us.
And that feeling carries us long into the night.