I tilted my head. “Is there something I should know about? Are you all right?” He was acting awfully strange.
“Everything is perfect. You’re perfect.” He leaned in and brushed my hair back before kissing my forehead. He lingered for a moment before trailing soft kisses down my cheek. With each touch, my pulse ticked up. His lips teased my own, skimming them, taking small tastes here and there until they came crashing down on mine. His tongue invited my lips to part. As always, my lips immediately accepted his invitation. My hands ran through his hair. He pushed me farther back in the car while thoroughly exploring my mouth. I liked this research trip. But I loved him and how he made me feel. His kisses made me know I was wanted and adored.
He groaned against my mouth. “As lovely as this is, we have some research we should really get to.”
He stood upright and pulled me along with him.
“Where are we going in the dark?”
“You’ll see.” He buttoned up my coat and wrapped a scarf around my neck. “Are you warm enough, darling?”
I took his hand and leaned into him. “Always, when I’m with you.”
He kissed my head and we took a trail leading away from the main house. I pushed out any jealous thoughts of beingexcluded and tried to focus on being in the moment with Miles. While the path was clear, snow covered most of the ground. The glow of the moon made it glisten in the dark. It was like walking in a winter wonderland.
Miles was quiet but attentive, making sure to keep me steady on the gravel path. Several times he looked down at me with an adoring gaze. It didn’t take long for me to realize we were heading for the amphitheater. Something was off, though. If I wasn’t mistaken, I saw a shimmer of light in the distance. I didn’t remember there ever being any lighting in the amphitheater. The closer we got, the tighter Miles held me to him.
Just as we were on the cusp of our destination the source of light came into view. The pergola was lit up in hundreds of twinkle lights. Pink rose petals covered the snow-covered ground beneath it. I stopped and placed my hand over my mouth. “What is this?”
Miles placed his gloved hand on my cheek. “This is how Dexter’s and Isabella’s story ends and ours begins, I hope.” He led me to the pergola.
I paused on the outer edge. This was hallowed ground. Ground I never thought I would step foot on. Miles recognized my hesitation. He removed his gloves and placed them in his coat pocket before cupping my cheeks with his warm hands. “My love, finish this walk with me. Let us say goodbye to our past demons here and now.”
Hot tears leaked down my cheeks and fell on his reassuring hands. I nodded and let him lead me the rest of the way. There we stood together under the pergola. The twinkle lights made it feel as if we had entered a fairy land.
Miles bent on one knee and took me by the hand.
“Aspen, the truth is that you are like a dream come to life. In every second we share together, you captivate me and scare the bloody hell out of me all at once. I know I will never be the man you deserve.” He used the same beautiful words from the first time he kissed me. “Despite how unworthy I am of you, I would like to propose a new contract, even more binding than the last one.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an enchanting filigree ring that sparkled under the lights. He held the beautiful ring between his finger and thumb before offering it to me. “Please do me the honor of agreeing to be not only my wife, but mother to my nephew. I, in return, will promise to be your faithful husband and loving father to Chloe and Henry.”
I was so choked up I could hardly utter, “Yes. Yes. Yes, to all of it.”
He placed the ring on my finger before standing up and kissing me gently. His tenderness bled through my lips. “I love you, Aspen,” he whispered against my mouth, this time as if it was a secret he no longer wished to keep to himself. “Shall we go celebrate withourchildren and your family and friends? They are all waiting for us in the main house.”
I kissed his lips. “I think I would like to privately celebrate for a little bit longer.”
“I am happy to accommodate you,” he groaned.
Best. News. Ever.
Epilogue
Eight Months Later
Youwouldhavethoughtwe were running a fancy day care instead of getting ready for a wedding—my wedding, to be precise—with all the babies and children running around. We had overtaken Emma’s old bedroom in the main house at the Ranch. I smiled at the chaotic scene around me. Emma was nursing her daughter, Shannon Elaine, while Chloe held Shannon’s twin, Dane Anders. Meanwhile, Shelby was changing her daughter, Maribelle’s, diaper for the second time in a half hour. To add to the fun, Henry was in his tux chasing Elliott around with a plastic sword. Jenna was doing her best to keep the chaos down as much as possible, running here and there in her pink organza bridesmaid dress. I chose pink for my wedding colors to honor Emma’s mom.
Thankfully, Oscar and Molly were there to do our hair and makeup. Molly had even designed my dress. The gorgeous trumpet antique lace dress with the most romantic train was hung up in the bathroom, away from the children.
Oscar was putting the final touches on my braided crown updo. He left some loose pieces to fall around my face. “You are breathtaking, lovey.” He smoothed the last curl.
Molly applied a pink tint to my lips as the final touch.
I stared in the vanity mirror, hardly believing this was happening and that I could ever look so elegant. Henry took a break from chasing Elliott and crawled onto my lap. “I’m bored,” he exclaimed.
I kissed his nose. “It’s nice to meet you, bored.”
“Mum, my name is not bored.”
I loved when he called me mum. I think he started doing it because that’s what Chloe called me, but whatever the reason, I cherished it. I felt like it made Sophie happy. Of course, Henry still talked about his mummy and daddy, and we encouraged it. Miles made sure to tell him stories about Sophie every day so he would never forget her.
