Lorenzo took a deep breath, and the soft scent of Lily’s hair filled him. He was spooning her from behind in their bed, and needed to get up and start the day. Winter had taken hold, and most days the cold and damp kept them indoors. He didn’t mind it, as it meant he was indoors cuddling with his girls on those days.

He checked the time, then took a moment to listen to the hall beyond their rooms.

All quiet, at least for now.

He dropped a kiss to Lily’s neck and she shifted slightly. He loved the moments just before she woke up, when she was soft and warm and half-asleep. For too many years, she’d trained herself to get up and get going as soon as the alarm went off, and to stay on the run all day so she could provide for Liliana. It would take some more time before she relaxed fully into her new life – she’d only been living in the castle with him a month, after all – but on days like this, it was easier for her.

“Lorenzo?” she murmured, her voice low and husky.

He nuzzled her hair. “Hmmm?”

She turned and snuggled against his bare chest, then tangled her legs with his. They never slept in the nude – one unexpected nighttime visit from Liliana where they had to quickly scramble into their clothes was enough to break that habit – but he found he liked the silky feel of her nightgowns.

“What time is it?”

“By my guess, we have an hour until she wakes up.”

Lily’s lips curved up. “That’s what you think. It’s the day after Christmas, isn’t it?”

“That it is.”

“And aren’t we going to the palace in Valentia to see your family?”

“Our family. And yes.”

“She’s been excited about that for weeks now.”

“I know.”

“So, she’s likely to get up early because of it.”

He chuckled. “Probably. But I asked her not to come in early today unless she really needed us.”

Lily tilted her head up. “You did?”

He brushed a hand over her hair. “Oh, yes. There was one present I didn’t give you yesterday.”

She leaned back, but he kept her within his arms. “Another present?”

He nodded. “Can you guess what it is?”

She swallowed. “I can guess, but I don’t want to be wrong.”

He tightened his arms around her. “I had to wait, you see, until our anniversary.”

Her voice was breathless. “Our anniversary?”

“Of the day we met almost six years ago. I met you for the first time on December twenty-sixth.”

She gasped. “Lorenzo.”

“Yesterday, when you didn’t find a ring in your presents, I saw your disappointment, but I wanted to wait. I hope you can forgive me for any pain I caused you.”

“I, well, yes. Yes, I was a little upset you didn’t ask me. It was so beautiful and perfect, and it was our first holiday as a family. It seemed the perfect moment.”

“That was a perfect moment for us as a family. But I wanted a perfect moment for us, as a couple, and this is it.”

Her eyes welled up.

He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I remember the first time I saw you. Your hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and I just wanted to take it out and run my fingers through it. You were beautiful.”

He kissed her lips gently. “You’re even more beautiful now.”

“Lo.”

He kissed her, a little harder this time. “I wondered why you were alone. I was still broken and bedridden, and on my own in the royal wing of the hospital, with no other patients nearby. I was really fucking lonely. I saw your eyes, and knew you were, too.”

Her voice was rough from silent tears. “I tried to cheer you up. I don’t think I was very successful.”

“You did a brilliant job. You were like an angel come to keep me company. I wanted you to stay longer.”

“So did I.” She sniffled. “You were bare-chested. Bandaged. Sad. Still sexy, despite all that, or maybe because of it. I wanted to give you a hug and kiss you at the same time.”

“You kept coming back to visit.”

“You kept asking me to come back.”

He took a deep, shuddering breath. “And now I’m asking you again to never leave.”

He reached under his pillows, where he’d placed the ring last night before she’d come to bed. She shifted to her back, and he propped up on an elbow and leaned over her.

“Will you marry me, my beautiful Cecilia? My lovely Lily, will you promise to never leave me again?”

“Yes.” She cupped his head and brought it to hers for a hard, quick kiss. “Yes, yes, yes!”

He slipped on the ring which, incidentally, he’d picked out with Liliana. That meant it was bordering on ostentatious, yet was still classy, like his Lily.

She held her hand out, and wiggled her fingers a little, so the diamonds caught the dim light of the room. “It’s beautiful.”

“Liliana helped pick it out.”

Lily smiled wide. “Did she? I bet she was happy you were asking me.”

“She was.” His face dipped closer to hers. “Are you mine?”

Her smile softened. “Yes.”

“Forever?”

“Forever.”

He wrapped his arms around her and shifted over her while his mouth took control of hers. Long and deep, wet and wild they kissed.

She was his fiancée now. She would soon be his wife.

He groaned. His hands shifted under her nightie to find skin. “Lily.”

Her hands began pushing down his boxers, and rubbed his thick, stiff cock. She moaned. “Lo.”

He thrust his hips into her hand. “Do you want me?”

She wrapped her legs around his hips. “Yes.”

Another thrust. “Do you want my cock?”

“God, yes.”

“Then take it in your mouth. I want to see you sucking me while I suck you.”

“I want you inside me.”

“Suck first, baby. I’ll fill you after.”

She jerked underneath him. “God, yes.”

They began to shift, his hands reaching for the edge of her nightie, her hands clawing again at his boxers.

“Papa! Did you ask-ed her yet?”

Their bodies stilled.

Lily looked horrified. “Did you lock the bedroom door?”

Fuck. “Fuck, I can’t remember.”

They took two moments to stare at each other, then they frantically put their twisted clothes and bedcovers to rights.

His erection deflated as quickly as it had inflated. He’d never forget to fucking lock the door again, that was for sure.

Their bedroom door opened and Liliana burst in running, then climbing onto the bed. “Did you ask-ed her?”

He pulled Liliana into his arms and tucked her between himself and Lily. “Remember what I told you last night?”

“No.”

He smiled, which turned into a full-blown laugh. Lily joined in as well. “Well, let me refresh your memory. I told you I’d come and get you after I asked your Mama to marry me and after we talked.”

Liliana gave a toothy smile. “Oh. I forgot.”

He chuckled again and kissed her head. God, his baby girl. “Well, I did ask your Mama to marry me and she said yes.”

Liliana’s arms shot straight into the air. “Yipee! Can we get married today?”

He loved that his little girl said ‘we’ were getting married. It was the truth, after all.

Lily brushed a hand over Liliana’s head. “Honey, we’re celebrating the holiday with your grandpapa and grandmama today.”

“But we can get married, too. I can be the maid of honor.”

Lily’s lips pursed, as if she were holding back a laugh. “Honey, I think you’d be better as a flower girl.”

“No. I want to be a maid.”

“Honey, older girls and women tend to be maids of honor or bridesmaids.”

“Oh. Can I be the best man?”

Lorenzo held back a laugh this time. “Your uncles will be the best man and groomsmen. Only boys can be a best man.”

“Who says?”

Since he didn’t have an answer to that, he avoided the question. “Listen, since we’re all up, why don’t we have some breakfast and get dressed. We can talk about the wedding on the way to Valentia. Okay?”

“Okay, Papa.”

“Good. Give me a good morning hug.”

Liliana put her little arms around his neck and his heart filled. He pressed a kiss into her hair and hugged her tight to him before letting go.

He’d never have to live without her or Lily.

He’d never have to be alone again.

* * *