Delilah looked up from her painting as Christian entered the room.

“Almost done,” she said. She swished her brush across the canvas, then set it down and turned to him.

His face slipped into a slow smile. He held out his hand. “Annie and I request your presence on the deck.”

She laughed and took his hand. She followed him through their flat to the deck. This apartment had been their shelter and hiding place the last months. Christian had been busy in the time they’d been in Paris, working long distance to take care of things back home. To make things safe for good.

It had been a jarring experience to suddenly find themselves in another country. Poor Annie had gone from not having a father, to having one, then having to leave her whole life. She’d handled it well, and loved her father. They’d gotten very close in the last six months, and Delilah found it hard to imagine that they’d ever lived without him.

But they missed their family back home, and Delilah missed her job at the gallery. Christian’s beautiful mansion had sat empty, too, waiting for them. She had no idea what all he had to do, and she didn’t want to know. She trusted that he would be as moral as possible, but suspected that meant that there still might be killing and violence involved. The less she knew, the better.

On the deck, Christian and Annie had set up a lovely meal.

“We got take out!” Annie exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Delilah recognized the scent of her favorite French restaurant and her mouth watered. Candles were lit, and soft music played in the background. It was all very romantic.

“This is very lovely,” she said. “Thank you.”

“We’re celebrating,” Christian said. He grinned at Annie. “Do you want to tell her?”

“We’re going home!” Annie ran to her and wrapped her arms around Delilah’s legs.

“We are?” Delilah’s heart leapt in joy.

“It’s all taken care of. Giorgio is gone for good. It’s all over.”

She assumed that meant he was dead. “It’s really over? You’re out?”

“Yes. It’s really over.”

Tears filled her eyes and she picked Annie up. “When?”

“As soon as everything can be arranged,” he said. “There is one other thing.”

Annie wiggled free and ran back to her father’s side. They bent down, heads together, whispering.

Annie nodded and ran back into the flat. She came back a moment later carrying a large bouquet of beautiful flowers. She handed them to her mother, then stepped back, a sheepish smile on her face. She giggled and Delilah gave them both a questioning look.

“What are you two up to?” she asked.

Christian stepped forward and took the hand that wasn’t holding the flowers.

“Delilah, you’ve changed my life. You made me into the person I’ve always wanted to be. I’ve never loved a woman like I love you. You brought our child into this world, and you ran away with me. You’ve given up so much and been through so much because of me. If you’ll let me, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

He dropped down to one knee and opened a ring box. “Will you marry me?”

“Yay!” Annie clapped her hands and ran over to throw her arms around her parents. “We’re going to be a real family now!”

Delilah laughed at her excitement and wiped away a tear.

“Maybe,” Christian said, looking up at Delilah. “She hasn’t said yes yet.”

Annie turned with her father to look at Delilah.

“Yes! Yes, of course!”

Christian stood and kissed her, then slipped the ring on her finger. It was a huge diamond in the middle of a silver band. It sparkled in the candlelight.

“It’s gorgeous,” she said.

“I picked it out!” Annie exclaimed.

“Our child has expensive taste,” he said, laughing.

“She comes by it honestly.” Delilah tapped a finger to his nose. “Your new building is breathtaking. Every time I see it, I can’t believe I get to be with the man who designed it. You’re amazing.”

“Only because of you.” He pulled her close and held her. “You made me the best version of myself.”

“No,” she said. “You were always this person, you just got confused for a few years.”

“This is why I love you. You’ve only ever seen the good in me.”

“That’s all there is to see.”

Delilah set the flowers down to pick Annie up. They shared a family hug, and her heart flooded with joy. She never imagined life could be so perfect, but somehow, all of her dreams had come true.

* * *