Page 150 of Promises in the Dark

She giggles as I brush the tip of my nose across hers.

“I love you, sweet girl.”

She wraps her arms around my neck. “Love you, Mama.”

A familiar cartoon theme song floats in from the living room, instantly grabbing her attention. She perks up, then scrambles off the bed and dashes toward the music.

Alex laughs, leaning closer to me. “Finally, I get you all to myself.” His face lowers to mine, his lips brushing against my own.

“You better take advantage of it while you can,” I tease. “You know she has a short attention span.”

“That she does.” His fingers drag over my exposed shoulder, his eyes darkening with lust. “Have I mentioned I love it when you wear my clothes?”

I bite my bottom lip, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Maybe once or twice.”

His lips find mine in a tender kiss that quickly turns consuming, leaving me breathless. His scent, his taste, his presence immediately shuts off my brain as I mold against him, needing more.

So much more.

But remembering we’re not alone, I pull back. “Maybe we should wait until her nap—

“Dada?”

We freeze.

“Merda,” he breathes under his breath.

We look over his shoulder and see Clara standing at the door, clutching a little box in her hands. “What’s this?”

Alex’s eyes widen, and I think…no, I’m certain panic flashes across his features.

“Alex?”

He sits back on his heels, dragging a hand down his face and shaking his head.

I straighten, adjusting my shirt. “Did I miss something? What’s wrong?”

His hand drops and his lips twitch. “Not a damn thing.” He glances over his shoulder. “Come here, little one. I think it would be best if we give Mama her gift together.”

Clara scurries over, and Alex stands, scooping her into his arms before he settles back on the bed with her, but this time…

My lips part, my heart thrashing beneath my ribs. “What are you doing?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He grins as he kneels on one leg, placing Clara on his other thigh. Carefully, he takes the little box from Clara’s hands and opens it to reveal…

All the air in my lungs escapes as I stare at the stunning engagement ring, shining brilliantly in the morning light. It’s a large round diamond, surrounded by smaller soft blue diamonds, resembling a beautiful flower.

“Fiorellina,” he says softly. “I planned on doing this tonight after dinner with just the two of us in a castle I rented. I have a four-string quartet on their way. Fireworks scheduled. And thousands of flowers are being flown in as we speak to transform the space into our own private garden. Because you deserve the whole world and more.” He glances down at Clara, who smiles at him, her eyes shining with joy as she watches this exchange. “But I’ve now realized that this is a moment that should be shared with the three of us.” His attention shifts to me. “Right here. Right now.”

I wipe the tears streaming down my face and place my palm directly over my heart, which feels ready to burst from my chest.

“You walked into our lives, filling them with a light we now can’t live without.” His hold on Clara tightens. “Clara and I are a package deal, but we quickly discovered that you were the missing part of this little family—the final piece to the puzzle. And we don’t ever want to go a day knowing what it feels like to live without you. If I’m honest, I wanted to ask you months ago. I wanted to put this ring on your finger so the whole goddamn world knew who you belonged to. But first, I wanted to make sure you had time to heal. Time to make your choice.” His features soften, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “And baby, I can’t wait a second longer to ask.” I roll in my bottom lip, fighting the grin that wants to break free. “So, Charlotte, the love of my life, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?”

Clara’s hands clap together. “Mama, marry Dada!”

I laugh through a sob as I nod my head adamantly. “Yes, yes! Of course, I’ll marry you!” I jump up, and Alex carefully slides the ring onto my finger before I clasp my arms around both of them, hiding my face in the crook of his neck as he presses kisses to the top of my head.

Clara squeals excitedly, throwing her arms around me, but then once again hears a familiar song on the TV and quickly rushes off the bed and out of the room.