Hiro chuckled in surprise, the sound a low rumble in his chest. “A cat? Why a cat?”
She shrugged slightly, her body brushing against his. “I don’t know. I just think it would be nice, having a little furball to come home to. Someone to keep this place warm while we’re off gallivanting.”
He smiled at the thought, his heart swelling with love. “Who’s going to watch the cat while we’re in the south France or Quebec.”
“Hmm, good point. Do cats travel well?”
He leaned forward enough to brush a kiss over her bare neck. “I think dogs do.”
“Then we’ll get a dog,” she announced. “A big one to travel with us.”
He chuckled again. “How about a horse to help with the travel? A llama? A whole menagerie to keep us company in our old age.”
Amanda laughed, the sound bright and joyful. “I like that idea,” she said. “I like that idea a lot.”
And he realized he did as well. His hold on her tightened, knowing he would fetch this woman a whole flock of swans, geese, colly birds, French hens, turtledoves and partridges if it would make her smile.
They lay in silence for a while longer, their bodies pressed together, their hearts beating in sync. Then Amanda turned in his arms, her eyes soft and serious.
“You mean it, don’t you?” she asked. “About being brave, about claiming a future together?”
Hiro nodded, his gaze steady and sure. “I mean it, Mandy. I want this, I want us. I want the adventures, the quiet nights, the turtledoves and the whole damn menagerie. I want it all, and I want it with you.”
“The turtledoves?”
His lips twitched. “They mate for life, you know.”
Her eyes filled with tears, happy tears, and she pressed her lips to his. Their kiss was soft and sweet, a promise, a vow. When they finally pulled away, Amanda snuggled back against him, her body fitting perfectly against his.
As they lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the sun dipping low in the sky, casting the room in a warm, golden glow, Hiro knew that this was just the beginning. The beginning of their future, their life together. And he couldn’t wait to see what adventures lay ahead.
The room grew darker, the air cooler, but neither moved. They were content to stay just as they were, wrapped in each other’s arms, their hearts beating as one. As the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky, visible through the small window, Hiroknew.
They’d found their forever.
EPILOGUE
They almost didn’t make it to the well.
It was Hiro who remembered, sitting straight up in the bed, dislodging her from where she’d been lounging, and blurting, “It’s almost midnight!”
Amanda, who had been quite happily imagining what their lives would be like together, gave a little grunt and poked him in the side. “So?”
“It’s almost midnight on the Epiphany! The Christmas season ends soon.”
It took her a moment to realize what he was saying, but when it sunk in, Amanda slowly sat up, pulling the blankets to her bare chest to eye him. “Are you…certain?”
“About the date?” He was already swinging his legs over the bed, reaching for the lamp.
Snorting, she smacked him. “Imean…about the…”
He spun about and grabbed her hands, pulling her to him. “About the well?” he asked seriously, peering down at her. “I’ve never been more serious. Marry me, Mandy?”
Oh.
Oh my God.
How long had she waited to hear those words from him?
