Page 101 of Axel in Heaven

I know if I didn’t have him legally scared of me, he’d try to reach out and go back to Heaven, but she’s mine, and that’s not changing.

I still see Ten just to keep my wits about me. He’s crazy, but I like him. Tucker and Tini just add to the hilarity that is Tennessee Church. We’d discussed marriage when I first started seeing him. He’d told me I can’t give myself to someone if I’m not whole. In summary, it wasn’t Heaven’s job to ‘fix’ me, and it wouldn't be fair to expect her to make everything okay. It was my responsibility, and I followed that advice and refused to propose until I knew we were going in with our best selves available fundamentally. As a couple, we can build on our solid foundation.

“Should I send her Ten’s number?”

Heaven face crinkles as she begins laughing until she cannot breathe. “Please do,” she eggs on as she wipes her eyes. “Can you imagine how he’d talk to her? He’d read her ass then beat up Dre.”

She joins me on the chaise and kisses me before continuing. “You know what, maybe that’s what they need. Ten would have them reevaluating their whole life. One couple session with your cousin set me straight.”

I chuckle thinking about how Heaven’s eyes stayed big and shocked the entire time she was in my session with Ten and me. That’s with knowing he likes her. Ashley would probably be assigned to a mental health facility after a session.

“He’s not my cousin.”

Heaven waves me off. “It’s an expression. You’re both big and white with long blond hair.”

“Keep treating me this way, and I’ll join Tini’s harem.”

Her entire body shakes when she laughs. “Good luck being co-husbands with Ten and Tucker. Something tells me you’re not on their level.”

I know what she means, but I like messing with her. “Are you saying I can’t be intense?”

“You know what I’m saying. You’d be calling me in less than forty-eight hours to bring you back.”

Our personal butler arrives with our lunch, and I steal another kiss before I guide us to the table.

We eat in silence for a beat before I look up at the love of my life.

“Heaven?”

“Hmm?” she answers absently as she takes seeds out of her fruit.

“I need a favor.”

She looks up and pushes her shades atop her forehead. “Yeah? What is it?”

I lean in like I’m planning a conspiracy. “Here’s the thing. There’s some real estate I’m interested in buying in New York. Super exclusive, but they’re very old fashioned and tend to favor married couples.”

She smirks and plants her elbows on the table. “I’m listening.”

“I was thinking maybe if you pretended to be my wife, we’d be golden.”

Heaven gets up and relocates to my lap.

“So, if we pretend to be newlyweds, I can stay in this ultra-exclusive penthouse in The Big Apple?”

“You know it.” I pull out a ring. “We need to make it look very official. Might as well get the paperwork. I’m sure they’ll check.”

Heaven’s eyes float with several emotions when she nods. “Of course they will. They are the elite. It’ll have to be authentic. Do the other promises from the last arrangement still apply?” She leans in until her nose is almost touching mine. “And how long is this assignment?”

“Yes. You will still be spoiled. As for time...” I look up at the sky as if I’m figuring a timeline. “How about until death?”

Heaven laughs and tears spill as I slide the ring into place. She peppers my face with kisses then composes herself to speak.

“Of course, I’ll marry you, you loon.”

The End