AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s the first thing you’re going to paint?” Roman asks.
“My beautiful little muse.” I gaze down to find him staring up at me through dark brown eyes the exact shade as my husband’s.
“With all the beautiful pictures you made to decorate his room, I think he’ll become a painter.”
I turn to Roman. “Would you want him to be an artist?”
He chuckles. “I love you. I love what you do.”
“Even though Paulo’s going to inherit the Capello estate?”
Roman smiles.
“I’d be honored for my son to follow in your footsteps,” he says.
The backs of my eyes sting with happy tears, reminding me of yet another way Roman has shown his love.
Bunches of flowers line the back seat. One of them was sent by the Beaumont City Women’s Aid. I made Roman switch the monthly million-dollar donation to an annual one. I now sit on its board of directors. Thanks to him, we’re opening shelters all over New Alderney.
A knock sounds on the tinted window. I glance up to find Gil grinning at us from the courtyard.
Roman nods at him to open the door, letting in a gust of juniper-scented air.
“Welcome home,” Gil says.
Roman steps out first, then he turns around, takes my hand and helps us out. Applause fills the air, making me startle. The staff form a line at the double doors that stretch down the stone steps and into the courtyard.
My breath shallows. The first time I saw the staff gathered like that was the day Roman was released from prison. Back then, it had been overwhelming, even embarrassing, since I was naked, save for his jacket and in the middle of a one-night stand.
Now, I’m overcome with love.
Roman wraps an arm around my shoulder and tucks me into his side, lending me his strength. I glance around, meeting the warm gazes of Tony, Gil, Sofia, Benito, and Cesare, who all welcome me like I’m a valued member of the family.
“Are you okay with saying hello to everyone before I take you back to the pool house?” Roman murmurs.
“No,” I say.
He stills. “Are you alright?”
I meet his concerned gaze. “I want to return to the master suite.”
His eyes widen. “What are you saying?”
“I want this marriage. I want us.”
Roman goes down on one knee, and my heart skips several beats. He reaches into his shirt and pulls out a gold ring encrusted with diamonds.
And it’s attached to a chain.
“I’ve carried this around for nine months,” he says, his eyes shining. “Waiting for the right moment to ask. I should have done this properly the first time. If you don’t like this ring, we can get something more suitable?—”
“Yes,” I say.
He laughs. “I haven’t even asked.”
I cup the side of his face. “My answer is yes. Now, stand up and let’s greet our family.”
Roman’s smile is so bright that my heart skips a beat. “Have I told you that I love you?”
I smile back. “Every single day, and I love you, too.”
He removes the ring from the chain and slips it onto my finger, only to elicit another round of applause. Just like everything else Roman has bought me, it’s the perfect size.
“You know what’s next?” He rises, his eyes twinkling.
“What?”
Roman scoops me off my feet and carries us both up the stairs and across the threshold.
“Welcome home, Emberly,” he murmurs. “I’m going to spend the rest of our lives showing you how much I love you.”
