Eternal

“Will you marry me?”

The song faded into something softer as he rose from his knees and grabbed my fingers in his hands.

“I have you… To get down on bended knee nothing else would be better… the day when I say will you marry me?”

The song ended, and Demetri whispered, “The day you said yes… the day you’ll walk down the aisle, the day you’ll be mine. The day we have our first child, the day we have our third, perhaps fourth fight and get to spend the rest of the evening making it up to each other. Lyss, I can think of nothing more important right now than making sure you realize, making sure you comprehend that there is nothing I won’t do for you.”

“Even sing with Ashton Hyde,” I whispered through a hoarse voice as more tears streamed down my voice.

“One Direction with Ashton Hyde,” Demetri corrected.

“Yeah, that.” I sniffled. “I love you so much I—”

His mouth covered mine as he lifted me into the air and twirled me around. The trumpets started up again and everyone clapped.

I couldn’t believe he would do something like that for me. All the songs he’d rejected, aligning with one of my favorite singers, and making a giant fool out of himself in front of my entire family.

That was my future husband.

That was Demetri Daniels in full force.

“I can’t wait to marry you tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait to dream of you tonight,” he whispered in my ear then kissed down my neck. “And now! We feast!”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Alec

“I’M IN SHOCK.” I put the phone back in my pocket and laughed. “Boy grew up, made friends, found his balls, and did something remarkable.”

“Oh my gosh, he pet a seagull?” Nat asked.

I shook my head. “No… that would take an insane amount of drugs, and since he’s drug-free, I’m pretty sure that’s never going to happen.”

Nat tilted her head. “So?”

“So, he sang with Gabe.”

Nat’s eyes widened. “And girls everywhere simultaneously passed out from the hot factor?”

“Hey!” I nudged her and kissed her cheek. “I wasn’t there.”

“Right, so only half the world was fan-girling.”

Rolling my eyes, I pulled out my cell and showed her the small video. When we were done watching, she had tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe he did that for her.”

“Well, it is Demetri. He doesn’t do anything half-ass.”

“I know but… he hates boy bands, and I know firsthand that those were some of the songs Lyss wanted for the wedding reception dance.”

“Yeah, well, it seems he found some romance.”

“It’s like watching your child grow up and sink the Cheerios in the toilet all by himself.” Nat sighed.

“Please don’t reference my brother sinking anything with his… parts.”

She giggled. “Are you sad you aren’t there?”

“I’m exactly…” I kissed her forehead. “…where I want to be.”

She looked down at Ella and smiled. “Yeah, me too. I just feel bad that I can’t be there tomorrow.”

“It’s too much, babe.” I sighed. “I mean, I know you’re fine and healthy, but you did just give birth to my child. I’m not so sure I want you running around twenty-four hours later… around germs… people…”

“I get the point.” She laughed. “And I’ll stay like a good girl.”

“A very good girl.” I growled against her lips.

“Keep that up, and we’ll have Irish twins.”

“Practice is my favorite part.” I kissed her again. “How long do I have to wait again?”

“Six weeks.”

“Kill me now.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“I’ll die, but thanks for your concern.” I groaned into my hands. “I guess I’ll just have to get really good at cuddling.”

“And helping me feed Ella.” Nat scrunched up her nose. “I know I say it all the time, but I mean it. I love you, Alec Daniels.”

“I love you too, Nat.” I kissed her again and sighed as I looked at our little girl. Life was perfect.

Not always good.

But even when life was bad, even when you had hard times, you could still find perfection. And I was staring at it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Demetri

I COULDN’T SLEEP WORTH shit. I was officially the little kid who goes to bed only to dream of Disneyland all night long. She was my Disneyland… I freaking wanted to jump into the bed, pull the covers over my head, and just… be with her. Like a crazy person.

Gabe had joked that he was going to put a lock on my door. Ha ha. I’d told him where he could shove it. But he hadn’t seemed fazed. Apparently, our duets had cemented our bond as bros.

Meaning, I had to find a new nemesis.

Something flashed by my window.

Awesome, the night before I’m going to get married a freaking bird was going to break into my room and kill me.

Well, I’d had a good run with her.

Something else flew by.

Holy shit, why were seagulls out this late?

Didn’t they have a curfew? Like all spawns of Satan?

I wasn’t making it up. Something else flew by and then landed on the windowsill.

Slowly, as to not scare it into attacking me, I turned on my side.