I cross to her, taking the shirt she's folding and setting it aside.She looks at me questioningly.
"We need to talk," I say.
Her expression shifts, concern flickering across her face."Is everything okay?"
"More than okay.But there's something I need to say."
I take her hands in mine, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers.She's nervous.Good.So am I.
"When this all started, when Marcus and Calla died, I thought I was just doing my duty.Taking care of family because that's what you do."I pause, searching for the right words."But somewhere along the way, it became more than that.You became more than that."
"Hades—"
"Let me finish."I squeeze her hands gently."I've been to hell and back.Done things that would make most people run screaming.But you?You looked at all of me, even the darkest parts, and stayed anyway."
Tears well in her eyes.
"You've given me something I never thought I'd have.A home.A family.A reason to be better than what I was."I brush my thumb across her knuckles."I love you, Angel.More than I knew I could love anyone."
"I love you too," she whispers.
"Then marry me."
The words hang between us, simple and terrifying and perfect.
Her eyes widen."What?"
"Marry me.Let's make this family real in every way that matters.You, me, those five incredible kids downstairs.Let's do this right."
"You don't have a ring," she says, but she's smiling through her tears.
"Don't need one.I just need you to say yes."
She launches herself at me, arms wrapping around my neck.I catch her easily, holding her close.
"Yes," she breathes against my neck."Yes, yes, yes."
Relief and joy flood through me in equal measure.I pull back just enough to capture her mouth with mine, pouring everything I feel into the kiss.
She responds with equal intensity, hands fisting in my shirt.When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"I can't believe you just proposed without a ring," she says, but there's laughter in her voice.
"I can get you one.Biggest diamond you've ever seen if you want it."
"I don't need a diamond.I just need you."
"You've got me.Always have, always will."
I kiss her again, slower this time.Savoring her.She melts against me, and I run my hands along her body
"The kids," she murmurs against my lips.
"Are watching a movie that's got at least an hour left."
"We shouldn't..."
But she's already pulling my shirt over my head, so her protests ring hollow.I grin against her mouth.
