Asher (Ashes & Embers 6)

“I got you something special.” Asher hands me a white box. Smiling despite the melancholy feelings I have about the tree decorations, I eagerly open the box to find a beautiful crystal butterfly with colored wings.

“It’s a tree topper,” he explains. “I thought instead of a star or an angel, a butterfly would be perfect.”

It is perfect. So incredibly perfect because it symbolizes so much to me. Awakening. Change. Comfort.

“Asher…I love it.” I smile, biting back the unexpected emotion. “Will you put it up there for me?”

Watching him climb the ladder to carefully place the butterfly on top of our tree diminishes the sad feelings I felt moments ago. Asher’s totally invested in our new beginning. He’s put the past behind us and constantly shows me he accepts and loves me. That’s all I’ve wanted and needed all along.

Then why do I keep having fleeting moments of bittersweet emotions, like something is getting left behind?

Putting his arms around me from behind, he rests his head on my shoulder and gazes at the tree with me.

“Are you happy?” he asks.

“Yes. Very.” I lean back against him and put my hands on his over the front of my waist. “Are you?”

“More than I’ve been in a long time.” He turns me to face him, and I’m surprised to see the intent look in his eyes, the firm set of his jaw, as if he’s on the verge of saying something but is holding back.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“No.”

Worried, I flatten my hands on his chest and tilt my head up to him. “Is something wrong?”

“Yes. I have to do something, and I don’t think it can wait anymore.”

A knot twists in my stomach. Minutes ago, we were entirely wrapped up in each other. What could be wrong?

“What is it?”

His expression is unreadable. “Let’s go upstairs.”

I let him lead me to our bedroom, wondering with each step what this sudden thing is he has to do, on the night before Christmas Eve, right after we just made love.

“Sit on the bed, and close your eyes,” he says, which puts my mind at ease.

Nobody delivers bad news to someone with their eyes closed.

“Are there going to be more Christmas lights?” I tease, doing as he asks.

“Just one more.” I hear him say from the closet, along with the sound of a drawer opening and closing.

“You can open your eyes now.”

He’s right in front of me.

Kneeling on the floor.

Staring up at me, holding a diamond ring in his hand that’s so big and sparkly, it puts all the Christmas lights to shame.

I blink at him, my mouth slightly open, unable to form any word or sounds.

Is that—?

“Ember.” His voice wavers, and he grins crookedly as he clears his throat. Emotion mists over his eyes. “Will you marry me?”

My pulse kicks up. My head sways with dizzy excitement and a sense of unreality. I lick my lips, still trying to make my mouth say something.

“We are,” is all I can manage to get out as my gaze darts back and forth between him and the ring.

“Technically, yes. But we’re at a new beginning. You didn’t get that choice when you woke up.” He inhales nervously. “You kinda got stuck with me, and that wasn’t fair for you.”

I can’t imagine being stuck with any other human on the planet than Asher Valentine.

Big, hot tears well up in my eyes and fall down my cheeks. “Yes.” I nod rapidly. “I want forever with you.”

Our hands shake as he slides the ring onto my finger, and my heart feels like it might burst with happiness when he brings my hand to his lips and softly kisses it.

“I want to renew our vows.” His voice is husky. His eyes deep and dark, locking on to mine. Filled with love, hope, and promise.

He’s steadfast, my north star, always bringing me back to where I belong. Here, home, with him.

“It can be whatever you want. A big wedding. A private ceremony. Here. Another country. Anywhere. It’ll be your day. I want it to be everything you dream of.”

Smiling through my tears, I correct him. “It’ll be our day.”

Gently holding my cheeks in his hands, he kisses me as if he can’t breathe without me. I cling to his shoulders to keep myself steady, opening my mouth to capture his kiss.

When we part to catch our breath, he’s smiling with a mix of happiness and sexy awkwardness. “I’m sorry that was so random, babe. I wanted to make it more romantic, but I couldn’t wait anymore.”

I’m not sure what could make a girl feel more wanted and loved than a man being too impatient and excited to propose to her.

For the second time!

I hug him as tight as I possibly can, pressing my face against his chest, feeling his heart beat against my cheek. Tumbling more in love with him. “It was perfect,” I say. “You did wait. And I love you so much.”