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She held me tight, and it was only when her breath hitched that I realized she was crying. I loosened my grip, and she slid down my body to stand before me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She swiped away a tear, smiling as she did so. “Nothing. I’m just really happy.”

I cupped her cheeks. “Me too.Je t’aime,mon cœur.” Because that’s what she was—my heart. My love. My everything.

She grabbed her hat and water bottle. “Oh—” She held up her pointer finger. “Before I forget, I have a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise?” I asked, intrigued.

“Close your eyes.”

“Mm. Okay. I’ll play along,” I teased, adding a seductive lilt to my voice.

“Notthat.” She rolled her eyes. “Jeez. I mean, yes, I want kids. But I’m not sure I’m ready to start trying for a baby just yet. We already have so much on our plate.”

“It’s your decision,” I said, meaning every word. “But just know that when the time comes…” I leaned in, my cock making its presence known against her hip as I rasped, “I will fill your pussy with my come until my seed is dripping out of you.” She gasped, but I wasn’t done. “And then I’ll shove it back inside your greedy little cunt until you come again.”

She shivered, and when I pulled back, her eyes were glazed over. “Okay. Um. Wow.” She swallowed hard. “Maybe we should cut the day short and start trying now.”

“What about wanting to wait?” I teased.

She smirked, running her hands up my chest. “Is it selfish that I want you all to myself just a little longer?”

I slanted my mouth against hers. “Not at all.” In fact, I loved it. Loved that she wanted me all to herself.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “Now, what’s this about a surprise?”

“Oh. Right.” She linked our hands together. “This way, please.” She grinned and tugged me toward the entrance to our formal gardens.

There was a lawn overlooking them, and I paused when I noticed several metal benches that hadn’t been there before. I’d seen them, but at the time, they’d been in one of the outbuildings. And they’d been in desperate need of some attention.

“These just got back from being restored.” She pulled me closer. On each bench was a plaque.

I leaned forward, reading the inscription in the first one. When I realized she’d dedicated it to my parents, I was overcome with emotion.

“Thank you. That’s beautiful,” I said, touched by the gesture.

“And this one,” she said.

The other was dedicated to my grandparents, and a bouquet of sunflowers rested on top. It felt as if they were there with us. Watching over us, in the home that we’d created. I grabbed the bouquet, and we sank down onto the bench. I wrapped my arm around Lily, kissing the top of her head.

“I love that you did this,” I said, my throat clogged with emotion. “I love you.”

“I love you.” Lily turned her face to mine, our mouths connecting. “Andthis,” Lily said as we looked out over the grounds, “isourlegacy. A reflection of our past and a promise of the future we’re building—together.”

We stayed there for a while, reveling in all our hard work. In what we’d created. Of everything I’d done so far in my life, I was most proud of this. Of my relationship with Lily.

To think that I’d once been afraid of forever, when it was now all I wanted.

I kissed her again, and then she stood. “Come on. I want to show you one more thing.”

“You’re just full of surprises today, aren’t you?” I chuckled.

She led me toward our vegetable garden, and I swore I heard the sound of clucking. A chicken coop came into view, and I glanced at her.

“Surprise!” She smiled. “I know how much you enjoyed caring for Lady Lorraine, and I just thought…”

“I love it,” I said. “And I love you.”

“I love you too.” She pressed up on her toes, tilting her hat back to give me a kiss.

As I stood in the field of sunflowers with the love of my life, I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be. Lily and I had faced so many obstacles, and yet, we’d persevered. I pressed a kiss to her lips, and I was filled with nothing but hope.

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