Chapter 28 #2
I padded quietly out to the living room, opening a cabinet built into the bottom of the bookshelves to access a small safe.
I pressed in the combination and the door popped open to reveal a small velvet box—the only thing precious enough in my life up to this moment to bother keeping in the safe.
But now it deserved to be on the hand of my wild, wonderful girl.
I opened the box, revealing the delicate ring, the center sapphire encircled with diamonds. I removed the ring, tucking the box into the bookshelf as I returned to the bedroom and slid back under the covers.
Birdie was curled on her side, her left arm resting on top of the blankets and holding them by her face.
I gently took her hand, sliding the ring onto her third finger.
By some small miracle, it fit perfectly—not that I would have changed course if it hadn’t.
I needed Birdie to know that I was ready for our forever to begin now.
I surveyed the ring on her finger before placing her hand back down on the covers and sliding into my space behind her, my arms encircling her torso. I nuzzled my face into her neck, taking in the scent of her.
She stirred, humming contentedly as she stretched slightly before turning over to face me.
“Good morning,” she murmured, her eyelids still heavy as she blinked herself awake.
“Merry Christmas,” I murmured back, kissing her forehead.
She smiled sleepily. “Merry Christmas.”
“How do you feel this morning?” I asked, working hard to keep my voice casual.
Her smile widened. “Happier than I have ever been.”
My own smile broke across my face, my heart soaring, as I pulled her in closer, kissing her deeply.
She moved against me, taking in my warmth and running her right hand across my chest. She propped herself up on her left elbow, pushing me back against the pillows as she swung her leg over my body and straddled me.
She leaned down, taking my face in both of her hands and kissing me fiercely, passionately. She pulled away slowly, about to sit up, when she stopped moving.
“Knox?” she said, a question in her voice as she pulled her left hand away from my face. Her eyes were wide as she looked from the ring on her hand to me and back again.
I took Birdie’s hand in mine as I sat up, adjusting her to sit in my lap, her legs wrapped around my waist.
“This ring was my mother’s. And now,” I said, bringing her hand to my lips and kissing her fingers gently, “it belongs to you. Everything I am and everything I have belongs to you, Birdie. It would be the greatest honor of my life to be your husband. Will you marry me?” I asked, my eyes on her and only her. It had always been only her.
Tears flowed down her face as she nodded, choking through her sobs. “Yes. Forever yes. The most enthusiastic yes!”
I smiled triumphantly, pulling her into a kiss, our souls entwining as she kissed me fervently. My hands roamed up her back to the base of her neck as I wound my fingers through her hair.
Birdie pulled back with a gasp. Eugene’s head flew up, suddenly alert.
“What?” I asked, my eyes flying open. “Are you okay?”
“I just remembered that I have something for you, too!” she said, climbing off my lap. She put her hands on her naked hips. “Shit, I wonder where my suitcase is.”
I laughed, pointing to the corner of the room. “I noticed it last night—looks like Oliver was thinking ahead of us.”
She chuckled as she walked to the suitcase and unzipped it. “Remind me to thank him later. For a lot of things,” she said, shooting a wink at me over her shoulder.
“We probably both owe him a few of those,” I laughed again, throwing back the covers and pulling on a pair of sweatpants. “I’ll be right back; I’m going to let Eugene out.”
Eugene and I returned to the bed a few minutes later to find Birdie back under the covers, snuggled in one of my shirts, a package wrapped in shiny red paper and a white bow in her lap.
I scooted in beside her as she handed me the heavy gift. I carefully untied the bow and took off the paper to reveal a leather-bound book. A quick flip through the pages revealed hundreds of colorful illustrations and descriptions of Tolkien’s creatures, countries, and so much more.
Birdie scooted closer to me so she could peer over my shoulder as I paged through the book. “I picked that up for you after our Thanksgiving dinner,” she said into my shoulder. “I thought it might be a nice addition to your collection.”
I blinked back my own tears at her thoughtfulness and the way she had remembered what I had told her about my dad. “Thank you, my love,” I whispered, pulling her into my chest.
I was ready to show her my appreciation in the best way possible when I glanced at the clock.
“Baby,” I said, pulling back from her, “I have about a hundred different ways I plan to worship this body of yours later today, but right now we will be toast if we don’t make it up to the palace for Christmas breakfast.”
Birdie threw back her head laughing. “All right, but don’t think I’m letting you forget that plan,” she said. She planted a kiss on my forehead and climbed out of bed.
“Never,” I growled, telling my dick to calm down as I watched her pull clothes out of her suitcase. “I do have one more thing I need to discuss with you while we get dressed, though.”
Thirty minutes later, we were on our way back to the palace, Birdie tucked under my arm.
I gazed at the expansive building fully bedecked for Christmas and considered all the things this place had been to me over the years.
First, my best friend’s home. Later, my own home, though those memories were all colored through heartache.
And finally, the place where I fell in love with the woman beside me—my fiancée.
While we dressed, I had told her about Oliver’s job offer. I knew I owed him an answer, but also knew that I couldn’t make this important decision alone. Not anymore.
I smiled as we walked, feeling peace with the decision Birdie and I had made together and excitement at giving Oliver my acceptance.
As Birdie and I had talked, I realized that my reluctance to be a working royal had faded.
I wasn’t sure if I would want to keep the job forever, especially once we decided to grow our family, but for now, I would embrace the change and the adventures it would bring.
After all, I reminded myself, being a part of the royal family had already brought me the best thing: a love to last a lifetime.