Nesrin is at school, studying for her psychology degree, while I travel to London to attend meetings twice a week. Other than that, I work from home, ensuring I can spend time with her. Even though I know she’s not walking away from me, there’s always a lingering fear that I’ll lose her. I don’t know why.
She’s beautiful, intelligent, and, at times, I wonder what the hell she sees in me. Besides my good looks, of course.
“You’re home,” she says, padding barefoot toward me. She’s wearing a pair of fluffy PJs, with roses all over them. The blue and pink buds look soft to the touch.
“I’ve missed you.” I grip her hips, pulling her toward me. She’s my anchor to happiness, and I am never letting her go. Pressing my lips to hers, I savor her flavor which, at the moment, is chocolate and coffee. “Did you finish all that candy I got you?”
Her guilty smile tells me she did. “Perhaps. But you’ve been gone for two days.” Her pout is cute. She’s right, though. With the company expanding into Europe, I’ve been away, but all I’ve thought about is being here with her.
“I have something for you.” I lace my fingers with hers. “Come, let’s sit.” We make our way to the living room, where the roaring fire dances behind the black grate.
I allow her to sit on the sofa, before I shrug off my coat, throwing it on the armchair, and then I reach into my pocket, my fingers wrap around the box, and my heart skips a million beats at the thought of finally doing this.
“What is it?” she asks, practically bouncing with excitement, as I stand so still, fear gripping me.
Inhaling a deep breath, I settle in beside her. Those golden eyes are locked on my hand, but she can’t see the small box yet.
“Look at me.” The order comes out firmly, and she lifts her gaze to mine. “I’ve thought about this for so long. The year with you has been nothing short of perfect. Being beside you, watching you flourish, seeing you blossom into a woman has been magical. I’m not one for soppy shit,” I tell her, causing a giggle to fall free from her lips. “But I need to tell you how you’ve changed my life.”
“I love you, Damien. You know that.”
“I do. And yet, at times, I feel as if you’re going to disappear. I know you won’t. I believe it, but sometimes, my mind plays tricks on me.”
“Don’t let it. I’m always going to be yours. Even though your father didn’t believe it himself, you’ve seen the change in him. He knows, he can see what we mean to each other.”
“And that’s why I asked him to send me something.”
“What?” There’s a small crease between her brows as confusion paints her pretty face. “When I called Dad and asked him for this, I knew he’d help. A friend of his had made my mother’s ring and my grandmother’s ring. And now, he’s made the one I’m going to give you, Nesrin.”
I finally pull my hand away from my pocket. Flicking the box lid open, I hold it out to her. “Nesrin Anne Ellington,” I say, using the name she chose to use. “I love you. I’ll always love you. And I want you to spend each day making me the man I’ve always wanted to be. I want you to be Nesrin Anne Thorne, if that’s what you want. I’d like to show you just how much you mean to me, with every waking moment and each night in your dreams.”
Her eyes widen in shock. The ring is gold, just like her eyes, but the stone is set in a small rosebud, which sits atop the golden band. The center of the bud is a deep blue gemstone, a Lapis Lazuli.
“This is…” Tears fill her eyes, and I hold the breath that I pull into my lungs, as I wait for her answer. “This is beautiful,” she whispers, picking up the ring, twisting it around, looking at every inch of it, before lifting her teary gaze to mine.
“I can’t live without you. Marry me, please?” I’ve never begged, never pleaded with a woman. I’ve never wanted to. Until her.
“Yes. Yes. I want to love you forever.” I slip the ring on the finger of her left hand before she leaps into my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. Her body flush with mine has a groan rumbling in my chest.
“I’m going to fuck you now.”
Nesrin rolls her eyes. “My fiancé, ever the romantic.” And, I know that no day will pass that she doesn’t challenge me. Doesn’t make me a better man. And I wouln’t have it any other way.
THE END
Playlist
Cut - Plumb
If These Scars Could Speak - Citizen Soldier