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All the fear of the unknown felt silly now. My life with Raph was easy, like we knew as long as she imagined. And It got better every day.
Raph
"… W
ithout you taking a chance on me, I wouldn't be where I am today." Lia said, a rosy glow on her gorgeous face.
We raised our flutes and sipped. Lia just landed her biggest design contract since Experience Shoreview, and she was as bubbly as the champagne. Joy radiated off of her, and I couldn't be more proud.
To celebrate, I booked reservations at her favorite restaurant, but I had my own motives, too. We lived together for almost a year, and I didn't want her traveling for work without the best sendoff possible.
"It was good business. The rest was all you. It's your eyes."
"Your eyes."
"No, Lia, it's your eyes. Those big, beautiful eyes. When I look into them, I see myself as a better man. I see our future. I see Hall Design's success." I brushed a lock of hair from her face. "I see the most breathtaking woman who ever lived. I'm lucky to spend my days with you."
We toasted our champagne again, a pretty pink stealing into Lia's cheeks.
"Are you sure I shouldn't reschedule for after the holidays? I don't want to dampen our first Christmas together. We were planning that party, and I—"
"You'll be back in time for the party. This trip is for huge for your brand. I can handle the party planning, you handle Hall Design."
Lia leaned in and rested her head against my shoulder. I was going to miss her a lot since I didn't have the time to go with her. Besides, I had a plan.
Finally, Christmas Eve arrived. The night of the party, and the night Lia was due home. It had been five long days, and if I didn't see her soon, I would implode. My foot tapped impatiently, waiting for her to come through the gate.
There she is.
She ran to me and dropped her bag so she could jump into my arms. I caught her, and we swung around. Being with her felt so right, and I never wanted to let her go again.
"Well? How was it?"
She giggled. "The flight? It was fine."
"No, silly. Your trip."
"We talked every night while I was gone. You know how it was. It was amazing."
"And you nailed it?"
"And I nailed it."
"That's my girl."
She caught me up on all the details of her project while we drove home. I couldn't stop touching her hand. Her excitement made me excited for her to see what I'd been up to while she was gone, too.
When we walked through the door, her jaw dropped. I stood back and grinned.
"Oh, Raph! It's so pretty!"
"Those decorations you picked look pretty good around here, huh?"
I had help, but I decked the house out with festive decor. The tree Lia and I decorated was a shining jewel in the foyer. It set the tone for the rest of the main floor where crystal accents gleamed in the warm light. I tied golden ribbon and holly to the banister, and affixed small accents to every doorway. The whole place twinkled.
"It's stunning. I love it," Lia sighed as I pulled her into my arms.
I nibbled her earlobe, and she wiggled away from me, but I wouldn't let her escape. "I have to get ready for the party…"
