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"I did. I hope you like them. I remember you told me once that purple roses were your favorite," he said.
"They are, and I love them," I said sincerely. "Thank you."
He looked as though he wasn't sure how to say what was on his mind.
Then, after a brief, awkward silence, he said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stepped on your toes by asking Daisy to help you with your project. I should have asked you first if you wanted some assistance."
I smiled at him. "I understand that you were trying to help me reach my end goal faster, and of course, I forgive you. I have to admit that Daisy's changes did help a lot. Once she started explaining things, I learned a lot from her."
He nodded but cleared his throat. "It also wasn't fair that you were blindsided by lunch with Mother. She also apologizes and said that she didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Michael said.
"Apologies accepted," I said, wondering if he had told his mother everything I had said.
Robin stared at us wide-eyed as he took in the entire exchange, looking first at his father and then me.
I could see Sage beckoning him. "Come here and hang out with me," she whispered.
With obvious reluctance, Robin went into the room with his aunt, leaving Michael and me alone to talk.
"I'm not sure how to say this, so I'll be blunt and say what's on my mind. I don't want to co-parent with you," Michael said. "I want you to be my life partner. I want us to be together as a couple."
My heart started thudding, and the butterflies danced in my stomach. I almost pinched myself to make sure that all of this was real.
"I want you to be able to trust me with your problems. You have shouldered huge burdens your entire life. I want to take some of that load off of you, even if it is to have someone you can talk to. I want to help in other ways if you let me," Michael said sincerely.
The seriousness in his eyes told me that he was absolutely sincere in everything he said to me.
I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Were my dreams coming true after seven long years?
"I only want you to be happy. I'll do anything in my power to make you happy if you come back home and be my partner," Michael said, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together.
"What if I want a hot personal male assistant?" I teased him, wiping my eyes with my free hand.
His blue eyes narrowed. "I'll be your assistant," he growled at me. "You don't need anyone else but me."
I smiled and nodded at him. He was right about that. I didn't need anyone else but him.
"What do your grandfather and mother think about this?" I asked him in a small voice. "I assume you told them about your plans."
"I did tell both of them how I felt about you and that I was going to make things right with you. They understand that I need you in my life to make me happy," Michael said firmly. "They are both happy to welcome you in. However, I want to be clear with you. Even if they had not approved of our relationship, I would still be standing here with you."
I stared into Michael's deep blue eyes, lost in the pools of emotion. They told me everything I needed to know.
"We're a family now. You and I will make up our own rules, regardless of what my mother and grandfather think," Michael said. "And if they don't like it, then that is their problem – not ours."
"That sounds perfect," I told him.
"I love you," he said.
Hearing him say those three little words was everything I had dreamed of. "I love you, too," I replied, choking back a sob.
Robin burst out of the room, flying toward us like an out-of-control tornado. His arms were wide open, and he crashed into both of us, almost knocking us down.
"Yay," he exclaimed. "Mommy and Daddy are back together again. Does this mean we can all go home and live together?"
I looked over at Sage, who shrugged her shoulders and had a guilty grin.
"Were you eavesdropping?" I asked, turning my attention back to Robin.
