AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We spend another few hours with them, and I get to know her parents better. I come to realize that I like them, they are softer than mine. As we leave the hospital, Amelia divulges that they never used to be like this, so she is still thrown for a loop even though she’s spent over a week with them.
“It’s good though, a good change. I think I can look forward to seeing them again, if it’s not for a funeral,” she says, her brow wrinkling.
“Well, let’s not think about that right now. We have the entire night to spend in Paris, let’s have a good time,” I pull on her hand, trying to see that smile of hers again.
She grants my wish and laughs as she hurries after me.
We spend the night stuffing our faces with pastries and amazing bread and cheese. We eat delicacies that are near impossible to find back home, and for a moment I can forget about all the turmoil surrounding my family, and the upcoming death of her father. For these hours it’s just Amelia and me, sharing kisses on balconies and walking through parks hand in hand.
But it seems all too quickly that night rolls into day again and our flight time arrives. In the back of the cab, I look over at her and inhale.
“You know… I know you told your parents that I’m your fiancé, but now that we are starting a real relationship you don’t have to stay in the contract,” I say slowly, my tongue nearly tripping over the words.
She meets my eyes and smiles. “I love you, Adrian. I don’t want to be in a contract.”
My breath punches out of my lungs because I’m not sure where she is going with this. My pulse races with the few seconds of silence and I start to panic.
“What do you mean?” I ask for clarification.
She raises an eyebrow. “I want it to be real. I wouldn’t have introduced you to them as my fiancé otherwise.”
“You… want it to be real? You want to marry me?” I ask.
“Yes,” she whispers, pressing a kiss against my lips. “Very much.”
I feel like I’ve just won the lottery.
EPILOGUE
AMELIA
Today is beautiful, filled with the scent of lilies from my bouquet and apple blossoms from the orchard we rented out. It’s nothing short of gorgeous, with a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds, perfect weather for our marriage ceremony. We came back to France to get married, and both of our families were able to join us. Even Charity and Jewel are with us, in fact they stand at the front of the aisles, with my mother, funnily enough, holding the leashes.
Adrian’s stepbrother, John, pouts the entire time. It’s only six months after we finalized our real engagement. I don’t think he ever expected us to really get married, but I feel a petty pride as I stand at the altar across from Adrian and I realize then, just how ugly his stepbrother can be.
But it doesn’t matter because this is our day. This isn’t about the inheritance or making our parents happy. It’s purely for us. I reach out for his hand, and he finds mine, wrapping his fingers through mine. His smile is pure and happy.
Because some otherworldly being smiled upon us, my father has held out long enough that he’s able to be with us. In fact, he seems to be having a great day despite being so tired. My mother says he’s in much better spirits since moving to in-home care.
The celebration is joyous, with Adrian holding me and pressing kisses against my cheek whenever he gets a chance. Even in the middle of dinner or like now, when we are dancing and everyone is watching.
“You are being overexuberant,” I laugh.
“Let me,” he whispers back, moving his lips to my mouth, sweeping his tongue in to deepen it. “You deserve it.”
“Mmmm? Why is that?” I ask.
“Putting up with Johnathan’s sour face all day,” he grins, pressing his words against my lips.
“Poor guy just lost out on a billion and more dollars,” I giggle.
“So harsh,” he grins, pressing his face into my neck.
Russell is waiting on the edge of the dance floor with a soft and almost secretive smile curling his lips after our dance ends and I make my way to him alone. Adrian has wandered off to go find us some drinks. I appreciate the moment alone with my mentor, I want to tell him how grateful I am.
But all I’m able to say is, “Thank you, Russell.”
Every word drips with gratitude as he shakes his head and draws me into a rare hug. “You deserve to be happy just as much as he does.”
