"Is that a yes?" I asked.
"That's a most definitely," he answered. I took his hand and slid the ring on his finger. It was the tiniest bit loose but otherwise looked nice on his hand. I almost passed out when I saw it in the store. The owner said it was made of iron and dated back to the seventeen hundreds. What really drew me in was the intricate design that swirled around the band of two peacock feathers connecting at the top. It was the sign I'd been looking for.
Severus trotted out of the bedroom in his bow-legged glory, weaving between my legs and purring loudly. I scooped him up in my arms, feeling like my heart was going to burst with joy. This is where I belonged. He butted his head against my chin, wanting all the affection I was willing to provide. "I missed you too," I cooed, carrying him to the living room where I could show him the proper amount of attention.
Alec sat down on the couch next to me, scratching Severus on top of the head. "I can't even tell you how happy I am to have you here, but are you sure about all this? I don't want you to think you have to give up your dreams for me."
I reached for his hand, pulling it up to my cheek. "Silly
boy. This is my dream. I get to write and have you come home to play doctor every single night. And they're not my dreams, they're our dreams. I want you to finish medical school and become the doctor you dreamed of becoming. This relationship has to be give and take if it's going to work, and I've taken enough. It's time I start giving. That means being here for you."
"Yeah, but your publisher. What are they going to say?"
"I already talked it over with them. There are plenty of industry events I can attend here in the states. For now, my passport is out of service. Besides, when I finally make my way across the pond, I want you by my side, and most likely Olivia, who will insist on tagging along. When Mom and I went to Forks, I realized how important it is to share those kinds of moments with the ones you love the most."
"Will that hurt your career?" he asked, still looking concerned.
"I've made it this far by following my gut. I don't see any reason to stop doing that now."
He gathered me in for a hug, making Severus squeak before hopping out of my arms to avoid getting squashed. "We're engaged," Alec murmured, nipping at my jaw.
"We're engaged," I repeated, stroking his cheek with my hand. "Remember when you freaked out that first time I told you I loved you? Did you know then that I would trap you into marriage?" I teased.
"Babe, come on. I was just playing hard to get. This was my plan the whole time."
"Oh yeah, right," I giggled, running my thumb across his bottom lip. He sucked it into his mouth, making my insides tighten with need. "Bedroom," I whispered, anxious to seal our engagement.
"What do you think?" Alec asked hours later as I studied the stunning ring on my finger. He gave it to me while we made love and I was having a hard time looking away. Like me, he had chosen an antique ring. A solitaire sat in the middle of a circle of smaller diamonds. It was simple but elegant and suited my taste perfectly.
I kissed him. "I adore it. I don't ever want it to take it off."
"Then don't," he said, tucking me into the crook of his arm.
Severus jumped on the bed, insisting on more attention now that Alec and I had gotten our nasty on. He climbed on my chest and I stroked a hand over his back. I felt so content I could have purred along with him.
"How do you feel about a spring wedding?" Alec asked, lacing his fingers through mine.
"You're kidding, right?" I tilted my head up to look at him. "Did you talk to my mom?"
"No, why? Does that not work?"
I shook my head in disbelief. "For as long as I can remember, I've always pictured myself getting married outside in the spring, surrounded by flowers and animals and singing birds."
"That sounds like every Disney princess movie ever made."
"Exactly. Think of how amazing it would be. I could dress like Cinderella and you would be the handsome prince. Severus could even be the ring bearer," I sighed, picturing it in my head. The look on Alec's face was priceless. I could have told him I was kidding, but it was more fun watching him try to come up with a response that wouldn't hurt my feelings.
"Or we could do something slightly more conventional?"
"You don't like my dream wedding?" I asked, batting my eyes as I puckered my lips.
He studied me for a moment, obviously trying to figure out if I had fallen off my rocker. "You're screwing with me, right?"
"You should see the look on your face," I laughed. He snaked his hands under the blanket, going for the overly sensitive ticklish spot on my side.
"Okay, I give," I said breathlessly before he reached over and clicked off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
Alec leaned in and planted a kiss on top of my head. "You know, a few hours ago I was laying here trying to figure out how to face another month without you in my arms. I can't tell you how good this feels."