She shrugs. “I thought you were just throwing that horrible man off the scent.”
I shake my head. “I want you to be my wife, Margot. I knew it instantly and every single second I’m near you, I’m more certain.”
She shakes her head. “You need to hear what I have to say first, okay? Then see if you still want to marry me.”
I walk closer to her and kneel down next to her. Otto licks my hand and then walks out of the room to get in his dog bed in the kitchen.
“Whatever you say, it will make no difference.”
She swallows. “You remember me throwing up on the side of the road? It’s for a good reason. I’m pregnant. I was taking the pill but I must have messed it up. That night I met you at the club, that’s when it happened.”
My heart starts to thump in my chest. All of my stalking of this woman and she’s been keeping this a secret the whole time. This wonderful secret that’s flooded my whole world with light.
“You mean, we’re having a baby?” I hold her hands in mine.
Her eyes meet mine. “Yes. Still want to marry me?”
I press my lips on hers. “More than ever. We’re going to have our own family. And I’m going to spend my life making sure you’re safe and happy. Will you be my wife?”
Margot laughs. “I certainly will. But no stalking.”
I wink at her. “I won’t have to stalk you if I’m by your side all the time.”
“You might get tired of that…” She reaches over and runs her hand through my hair.
I shake my head.
“Never.”
EPILOGUE - MARGOT
Three years later
Otto clatters in, his tail wagging. I smile and lean into the microphone again.
“That clattering sound is our sweet mascot Otto. The same sensitive Piscean hound who couldn’t say boo to a goose once upon a time. He’s come so far with a little TLC and attention. Now the only thing he’s scared of is the vacuum cleaner, not people. Okay, so a message for all you pet owners as the moon comes into Pisces in the next couple of days; it can amplify all their traits. So look out for dogs knowing if you’re upset, cats being extra weird and even parrots having dreams. Until next week, this is Margot Marchetti signing off from the Celestial Pawz podcast. May the stars guide you and your furry friends on this cosmic journey through the animal kingdom…”
I play the little jingle at the end of the podcast and Otto barks. I hold my hands out and he runs towards me.
“You like that, hey boy? Maybe I’ll interview you for the next one.” I stand up and stretch, then walk from my cute little recording studio into the big, open-plan kitchen.
As I make myself some tea, I glance around at the pinboard covered with photos of our little family. Although I love having time to myself, the big house feels empty without Duncan and Enzo here too.
My cell starts ringing withAll I Want for Christmas is Youblaring out on top volume. Enzo must have adjusted the volume levels when he was playing with my phone earlier.
I smile and pick up.
“Honey, I miss you!” Serenity’s voice is nearly drowned out with the roar of an engine in the background.
“I miss you too! Where the hell are you?” I sit at the counter and sip my tea.
“St. Frickin’ Lucia, baby. François decided it was too cold in the city so we came out here for some heat. And it ishot, I can tell you that.”
“Oh, wow! We’ve just had the first snowfall here. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel the sun on my skin.”
“Oh, you can pretend to complain all you like. That Snowflake Falls is the cutest little place ever. Speaking of cute, how’s my godson?”
“He’s already talking about presents. He’s worked out that Christmas means presents, but he’s not one hundred percent about dates yet. So every morning he asks if it’s Christmas yet. Duncan’s distracting him with a trip to the building site. If there’s one thing he loves more than presents, it’s getting to sit in the trucks and watch earth get shoveled around…”
