Page 43 of Consumed By Fire
"I’m here, love. I couldn’t leave this world. I had to know you, love you, marry you, and live with you. I’m here for you!"
"I love you, Dylan!"
"I love you too, my love." He holds me close, kissing my forehead. "You said you were thinking about us, too. About us now or us in the future?"
I smile but don’t answer him. Imagining the future is such a rare and precious thing for me.
"I imagine a bright future, full of love, kisses, hugs, children, and many unique moments, only ours,” he whispers, looking into my eyes.
"Of children?"
"Well, yes. I already know that you’ll be a fantastic mother and I’d love to see you playing with our children."
Having children is another dream to realize, with him.
"I love you, Dylan, I really love you so much. And there will also be children in our future."
He smiles wide, kissing me. I’ll never get enough of his lips.
The alarm goes off and we get out of bed, realizing that we’re still naked.
"I like the view."
"Oh, really?" I tell him, pivoting. “We have to go. I have breakfast to prepare for the guests and I have to finish the last things for tonight's party."
Dylan approaches me and takes me in his arms, consuming my lips. "Happy Valentine's Day, love."
"You know, I've never celebrated it," I confess, wrapping my legs around his waist.
"Are you kidding?" he asks, surprised, and I shake my head. "Hmmm, we can mark it as another first time for us," he finally says, smiling.
We return to Paradise and find Blaire with Grace and Annais, who are arranging breakfast for the guests.
"Hello, lovebirds. Did you sleep well?" Blaire asks, amused. She knows I get embarrassed easily so I just nod.
Dad and David come into the kitchen with cups of coffee, talking about politics.
"Hello, everyone. Since we’re all here, I’d like to take the opportunity to make an announcement," Dylan says.
Everyone stops what they’re doing and stares at us.
"Charlotte said yes," he finally says, raising my hand and showing the engagement ring.
Blaire's happy screams make us laugh out loud. I notice the emotion in our parents' eyes as Blaire crushes me in an affectionate hug.
"We won't be in a hurry to get married," I say as Blaire snorts.
"I’d already started imagining you in a wedding dress."
"Me too," Dylan says. He laughs, hugging me. "But we’ll do things slowly. You’re already mine.” He kisses my head.
"Only yours," I murmur, hoping that the others don’t hear, though based on our parents’ smiles, I’m certain that they have.
"So, when..." Blaire starts but I stop her immediately.
"We have work to do, and little time,” I tell her. She rolls her eyes, which amuses Dylan.
"Since you have the day off, give our parents a tour of the city,” I tell Dylan. “While you're out, I'll need you to pick up the roses before you come back."