Page 11 of Eternal Love (Timeless Duet #1)

One Year Later

“How was it?” Julia smiled up from the dining table, and the sea of wedding planning she’d been combing through all morning. She’d been ticking off last-minute preparations that Camilla had sent her, like making sure they cleared enough space in the dining room for the guests and finalizing the menu.

Theodore always looked more himself after a therapy session. His shoulders hung lower, and the crease in his forehead that sometimes appeared when he thought about things too deeply disappeared. She’d suggested it almost as soon as Camilla had gone home. He’d resisted at first, but now he had twice-monthly sessions with his therapist. Of course, he couldn’t go into the specifics, but he addressed his feelings of anger, and his therapist was helping him to let them go. They had to choose a therapist that made house calls, of course, as he was still tethered to the manor and its lands, but Tabitha was working diligently on ways to expand his reach so that he could leave. They didn’t talk about it often, mainly because she didn’t want to get his hopes up, but all her conversations with Tabitha sounded promising.

He smiled, that slow, heart-stopping, breath-stealing one, and walked over to her. He bent down, covering her lips with his in a long, lazy kiss, the kind that reminded her of a calm spring morning where the birds were singing and the scent of flowers carried in the breeze.

He sat down, taking her hand.

“How’s it all going, love?”

She squeezed his hand. “It’s going well. Although I still think Camilla believes she’s in charge. Or my wedding planner at the very least.”

He chuckled. “Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?”

She loved how well Theodore and Camilla got along. And she couldn’t wait for Camilla to arrive soon for the wedding next week, along with Tim and Susan who were just chomping at the bit to meet Theodore. Camilla’s parents would love him. How could they not?

He released her hand. “Before I forget,” he said, getting down on one knee.

She blinked. What was he doing? “Um, you do realize I’ve already said yes, right?” she teased.

“Well, I love you so much I thought I’d propose twice.” He grinned. “But this time, I’d do it properly.”

He pulled a ring box from his pocket and opened the lid, presenting it to her. She twisted in her chair, her heart thumping. His hands shook slightly, and she reached out to steady them.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

The ring was ornate, with a gold band and an opal set in the center.

“It was my mother’s. I’ve had it refurbished for you. Well, Camilla helped. So, my mother can be a part of everything. She would have loved you.” His eyes glistened.

Julia cupped his face. “And I would have loved her. And she is a part of it.”

He smiled, pulling her left hand toward him and sliding the ring on. She held it up to the light and watched it dance in the sun.

A perfect fit, just like them.

The End