Chapter 52
The sun was high on the horizon as Emelia leaned in to kiss Titus goodbye and she made her way to the bakery. The alleyway was filled with the sound of soft jazz and the hum of voices from the main street. It should be calming, but her heart was racing with anticipation for the future while a cold shiver ran down her spine.
They had spent the morning exploring a house on the outskirts of town.
When they drove down the long driveway, the crunch of gravel echoed in her ears. Emelia gasped, her eyes widening with surprise when she saw the property.
Now she understood why Titus loved it. The house had a warm and welcoming vibe to it and reminded her so much of her parents’ house in Warwick. He had spent a good amount of time after his trip up north talking about how at home he felt up there. How he loved the barn and gardens. How he could see her and her siblings running free as kids. She saw the yearning for children in his eyes but said nothing.
The property also included some land and a barn. Not just any old barn but a half-finished structure that Titus suggested she could use for her cooking classes and catering business when she was ready. Her heart filled with excitement as she looked around the structure, imagining herself in it.
She loved the screened-in porch and swing. The kitchen was exactly what she wanted. The back patio was perfect for parties and especially inviting, with the birds chirping. She envisioned a big garden with flowers and vegetables by the side of the house.
Inside, the house was more than adequate for the two of them.
But it wouldn’t do if they had kids. Come to think of it, Titus never mentioned if he wanted kids or, for that matter, if he wanted to get married.
Was he expecting they would live there as a couple? That was fine for now, but she wanted more—much more. She wanted the ring, the kids and the forever man by her side.
They needed to have a serious talk about the future. She loved him. She knew he loved her. Emelia wondered if his past would prevent him from committing to marriage.
A decision needed to be made soon on putting an offer in to buy if they were to move forward.
Emelia could see herself in the house, although she had little money to contribute to the down payment right now. Titus assured her it wasn’t a problem. He did.
And that was the problem. She wanted to feel like she was doing her fair share in a relationship or marriage.
However, if they had kids and she was a stay-at-home mom, that was different. She was contributing. But Titus had a business to run just like she did, and any cash that was made had to go back into the business. Although … Titus had another job working for the Brotherhood Alliance. He claimed money wasn’t an issue, since he was paid very well.
But her thoughts were elsewhere.
Lilypad Confections was doing well. Out of the blue, an investor reached out to her asking if she wanted to sell and threw out a generous number. She was considering it. She loved the bakery, but the whole scenario with Stacy and Tim threw a wet blanket over her dream. It reminded her too much of New York and Wyatt.
As Emelia made her way to the bakery, the sweet aroma of just-baked bread and pastries filled the air. So many decisions still to be made, but first, she had a business to run and people who depended upon her.
Can we talk?
Titus stared at the text on his phone, his stomach churning. Rumor had it that it was never a good sign when a woman said, “Let’s talk.” He wondered what Emelia wanted to talk about. He hoped it was about the house. It’d been two days since they looked at it. He was confident that she loved it.
However, Chase scheduled him an overnight job with the Brotherhood, and he never had a chance to ask Emelia if they were going to move forward with it. Despite Emelia’s money concerns, he reassured her that he could afford a substantial down payment. The Brotherhood paid generously for jobs. The gym was paying for itself with money left over. There was no need for her to worry.
Although they never discussed kids. Or marriage. Oops. He cursed himself for falling behind. Whatever her decision, he would be okay with it. Well, maybe he’d be disappointed if she didn’t want children, but his future was with Emelia. The most important part was asking her to marry him.
Titus fingered the box in his pocket. Tonight, he’d ask her. Where? Her apartment? No. She wasn’t happy there. He could have her come to his cabin. That was a good idea. They enjoyed the Italian food from that place Emelia found. He could order something from there. Hopefully, she’d spend the night. The thought of having her in his bed again made his cock ache.
Plans made, he called and ordered the food. He texted Emelia and asked if she could come to his cabin.
Ding. What time?
He texted back a time, then shoved the phone into his pocket, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. Then he looked at the clock. He’d be late for his self-defense class if he didn’t get going.
At five o’clock, he said good night to Vanessa and Sean, drove to the hardware store for some last-minute supplies, then over to the bistro to pick up the food. When he arrived at his cabin, he set the food on the countertop. The scent of basil and garlic wafted in the air. His stomach growled, then twisted with nerves.
Emelia would be here any minute, and he still had a little work to do.
First off, Titus unpacked the candles he bought and placed them on the table on the patio and lit them.
He plugged in the twinkling lights Emelia had liked that last time, and then he found some romantic love songs on his phone.
Satisfied, Titus poured himself a glass of liquid courage, sat on one chair, and rehearsed what he wanted to say multiple times.
Titus heard Emelia’s car pull up. He took a deep breath, wiped his hands on his jeans, opened the door before she had a chance to knock. She’d changed into a pair of skinny jeans with a white tee and looked casual and delicious.
“Come here.” He beckoned with a gentle smile, pulling her into a long kiss.
Emelia smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling. “That was definitely worth waiting for,” she said happily. “Oh, do I smell Italian food?” she asked, walking into the kitchen.
“You bet. How about a glass of wine?” He uncorked the wine and poured two glasses when she nodded.
He brought the glasses outside.
“This is so romantic,” she gushed as she looked at the twinkling lights and flickering candles. “You didn’t have to go to so much effort to get me in bed. I’m a given.” Emelia winked.
Titus’s stomach churned. Should they have the conversation now or after dinner? Probably now so there would be time to salvage dinner and later.
“Hmmm.” Titus asked as he rubbed his neck. This was painful. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
Emelia giggled and covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you look like you’re on the way to the guillotine.”
He raised his brows and stared at her.
“Okay. Okay,” she said. “It’s nothing.” She furrowed her brow. “Nothing serious, anyway.”
“Just rip the Band-Aid, Emelia,” he growled. “You’re killing me, here.”
She grimaced. “Sorry. I wanted to tell you that I have an investor for the bakery and I’m going to sell it.”
He didn’t expect to hear that. “Are you sure?”
Emelia nodded. “I love the bakery, but after Wyatt and Tim, it has too many bad memories for me.”
“What will you do?”
She sighed and her hands trembled as she said, “Well, this afternoon I applied for a new catering license under the name Yellow Bird Caterers.” Emelia took a sip of wine and placed her glass back on the table. “So, I will have enough money to help with the down payment…”
“I told you that I have enough,” he interrupted. But again, Emelia surprised him. She was determined to take care of everything on her own.
“I know, but I want to contribute.”
Changing the subject, he asked, “So why did you choose the name Yellow Bird?” It was kind of an odd name.
She squinted at him. “Hmmm. I guess Florida doesn’t get a lot of finches. They were one of the most colorful and vibrant birds up north. I could always recognize the yellow ones.”
Yellow Bird? Finches? He liked where this was headed.
“I see.” Titus nodded. “I love the name you chose.” He cocked his head. “Is that what you wanted to talk about?”
Emelia struggled to sit still. What was coming next?
“No,” she said, examining her hands before turning to him. “We never discussed the future. I have no problem living with you if you don’t want to get married, but I would like children. How do you feel about kids?”
Fuck. This was what he’d hoped to avoid. The fact that they never discussed kids was on him. Why did he wait so long? “Well, I’d like a half dozen, if you’re up for it.”
“Six kids?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. Emelia took a minute to process this information. “I would be willing to do two.”
Hmmm. Titus thought he’d have a little fun with her. “Five.”
She looked over at him, squinted and smirked. Titus figured she had caught on. “Three, and that’s my final offer.”
“Done!”
“Great.”
He scooched his chair closer to her. “The kid part is done, but I’m not.”
“Oh?”
It was now or never. Titus fumbled for the ring box in his pocket. Elvis Presley was singing, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Titus’s heart was thumping. He got down on one knee, uncovered the box.
Emelia covered her mouth. Tears streamed down her face.
“Emelia, you are the woman I never thought I needed. The love of my life—my past, my present, and my future. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife and the mother of my three children? To laugh with me through life’s tribulations and have my back?”
She tried to stop the flow of tears but was unsuccessful and could only nod. He placed the one-carat center stone diamond surrounded by pavé diamonds set in a platinum band on her finger.
“Oh, Titus. It’s beautiful!” She threw her arms around him. “I love it, and I love you.”
Titus enveloped her in a warm embrace, his heart overflowing with love. Never in his wildest imagination could he have envisioned finding the woman of his dreams. A woman who loved life, who was brave and courageous and oh-so-talented. And hopefully, their future together would be free of any further complications or conflicts. Despite Elvis proclaiming only fools fell in love, Titus felt incredibly fortunate to have found his soulmate.