hy is lovely, but the expression on Clementine’s face is the real prize. She grins as she accepts the envelope on my behalf. As we leave the gym with empty cookie trays in hand, I see my future stretch out in front of me, bright and exciting.
Epilogue
18 months later
Anders
“Are you trying to fatten me up?” Tilly smiles up at me as I set the tray on the table in front of her.
“We’re celebrating having the house to ourselves tonight.”
“That’s a bi-weekly event.” She giggles, and I know she’s enjoying the pampering I’ve been doing, from the drawn bath and candles to the homemade pasta dish and now the moonlight dessert platter.
“Oh, these are adorable.” She traces the heart pies on a stick filled with apple compote. Her smile fades. “Did I forget an anniversary?”
I chuckle. “No.”
Her eyes take in the buttery Mexican wedding cookie, heart-shaped vanilla petits fours, and handmade fortune cookies dipped in chocolate and covered with sprinkles. “Is there an eating order?”
“Yes.” I walk over and trace her lips. “The heart pop first because I think you stole mine the first time you opened your door and threatened to strangle me.”
She smiles. “You remember me at my best.”
Lifting a heart, I bring it to her mouth. She takes a bite and hums her approval of the sweet and tangy filling. I finish the rest, eager to move her through to the final treat.
“I like sharing with you,” she whispers.
“I know you do.” I hope that goes for more than just my cooking.
I lift the petits fours. “Because you and Clementine own my heart. I never knew it could be this full until you stepped into my life. I’ve never been so grateful for baking before as I am now. It’s brought me everything I wanted most in life.” She takes a bite, and I bite from the other end, nibbling into our lips meet in a sweet, vanilla-flavored kiss. She moans, and I swallow, darting my tongue out to collect the leftover glaze from her luscious lips.
“Keep that up, and we won’t finish our way through the dishes.”
I’m stalling.
I kneel beside her and lift up a fortune cookie. “I want to help you with this one.”
“Okay?” She flashes me a questioning gaze.
“On three. One, two, three.” We snap the cookie in half as my heart beats in double time. The slip of paper floats down into her lap. She lifts it up and reads it. “Anders.”
“I love you. I want to make us an official family, and maybe add a few new members when you’re ready.” Will you marry me? is printed in black ink. “Matilda Anne Lawson, will you marry me and let me add Rivera to the end of your name, so Clementine doesn’t feel left out.”
“Yes.” Tears fall from her eyes as she nods. “That’s why the Wedding Cookie was last?”
I nod. “You should break that open.”
“You didn’t,” she whispers.
I grin as she digs into it like a treasure hunter. The cookie gives way to reveal a ring. The oval-shaped platinum ring gleams brilliantly. I brush away the crumbles and slide her ring onto her finger. My tongue circles the band, licking away the crumbs. She whimpers, and I grin.
“I have to make sure to clean it up.” I continue to tease her as I cup her breasts, flicking her nipples with my thumbs. Her slinky pale pink gown stands out against her caramel-colored skin that shows off her shape.
“You did all this for me.” Her voice shakes. “Let me return the favor.” Her eyes darken in the ambient lighting set of by the fairy lights wound in the trellis above us.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Sit.” She gestures to the chair across from her. Rising, I follow her directions as she stands and sashays her ways over to me.