My gaze drifted down to Sera, her cheek resting on my chest. She didn’t know everything I’d been juggling in the background—and that was by design. I wanted her free to focus on herself, her healing, and us.
Her father had called again that afternoon. This time, it wasn’t with apologies or questions. He wanted to have dinner with us later in the week. “Us” meaning me and Sera. He said he wanted to meet me, to see for himself who his daughter had chosen. Josephina would be there too, mostly to keep him in check, though she admitted she was curious about me herself.
I hadn’t told Sera yet. There was no sense in winding her up with nerves over something that couldn’t be avoided. I’d wait until the day was closer. Until then, I would keep her mind occupied, her shoulders loose, her little heart protected.
As for her mother? She still wasn’t on board. She probably never would be. And that was okay. I wasn’t here to win her over. My loyalty was to the girl asleep in my arms, the one who’d fought so hard to belong to herself.
I brushed a strand of hair from Sera’s forehead and kissed it softly.
Whatever was waiting for us—family dinners, uneasy conversations, or more obstacles—we’d face it. Together.
And I was standing on that.
I looked down at her hands and wondered…
What size ring does she wear?
Seraphina had decided to push back her Disney Cruise plans because she wanted to extend her travel time, which would cost more. I couldn’t help the plan that was already unfolding. What better way to propose to her than by taking her on her dream trip? Or is that where we should get married?
The End
