Page 130 of Merging Wright

He shrugs, vulnerable in his position, but confidence fills his words. “Five facts, Jane. I love sleeping next to you. My body has this strange need to touch you and remind myself you’re there for me. I want to be there for you, too. I’m proposing a new partnership.”

I softly laugh as tears blind me. He squeezes my hands once more. “A true partnership, Jane. You and me. Mr. and Mrs. Wright.”

“That’s not five facts, Mr. Wright,” I teasingly chastise him, my mouth unable to fight the largest grin.

“I’ve lost count of all the things I know about you, but the things I want to learn are endless.”

“You once said you wanted all my secrets. Here’s a secret I still haven’t shared with you.” I sniffle as a tear glides along my nose. “I’ve been in love with you for eight long years, too, your Mach-esty.”

Tears come faster as Mach is first puzzled by the nickname and then slowly smiling wide and bright.

“And all those times you asked me to tell you I wanted you inside me . . .” I puff out a breath. “Mach, you’re already there.” I tug a hand free and pat my chest. “In here.” I sniff again. “You’re inside my heart. And I love you.” My voice cracks.

Mach quickly stands. “Jane, baby. Say you’ll stay married to me.”

I vigorously nod. “I’ll stay married to you.”

Mach stoops to get a better view of my face. “Not just for a year, but for a lifetime.”

“For a lifetime.” Looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so large.

Mach lifts my left hand and slips the diamond ring down my finger, kissing it against the silver wedding band he gave me.

“We can have a new wedding, if you want,” Mach whispers, his eyes fixated on the sparkle of the diamond and the marriage of the two rings on my finger.

“I don’t want to erase the ceremony we had.” I look up at him, and he meets my eyes. “I wouldn’t change a thing. But maybe I could get the feathery dress, and we could throw a party. We could have cake and dancing.”

Mach chuckles, nodding as if agreeing with my plan. Then he stills and gazes directly at my eyes, holding his uncannily still. “What about our wedding night?”

I glance at the rings on my finger before tipping my face up to his. “That night was pretty special. I don’t think I’d change that.”

“Yeah, it was perfect.” With that, Mach brings his mouth down to mine. The first kiss we shared Mach became my husband. And every kiss afterward, he’ll remain that man beside me. When we finally take a breath, Mach smiles at me.

“I like seeing my kiss on you.”

“I like wearing your kisses.”

His mouth returns to mine, and we kiss standing in the vacant room before Mach breaks free once more. Without explanation, he steps back, guiding me up the stairs to a bedroom filled with unlit candles and a bed.

“Foregone conclusion, Mr. Wright?” I arch a brow as he begins to light the wicks. Candles stand on the floor and along the windowsill. And a bottle of champagne chills in a stand.

“No conclusions, Mrs. Wright. Only fresh starts.” He finishes lighting a candle and crosses the room to me. “And love. So much love, baby.”

60

Playlist: “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – Rascal Flatts version

[Mach]

Later that night, Jane is absent from our bed. Our new bed. Our new bedroom. Our future home. Slipping on my pants, I notice a blanket is missing from the bed. No wonder I woke up cold although Jane’s body missing from next to mine is more the reason.

I wander downstairs where Jane sits on the hardwood floor before the dollhouse and Christmas tree. The lights are still on, illuminating the dark room. Jane has the missing blanket wrapped around her body.

Lowering myself to the floor, I slip my legs around her body and tug her back to my front. “Whatcha doing down here alone, baby?”

She tips her head to my shoulder. “Wondering if I’m dreaming.”

I press a kiss to her neck. “It isn’t a dream.” Or maybe it is. One finally coming true. “I have one more gift for you.”