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Chapter twenty-four

Cecilia

Reminder for Minnie: NO RUNNING ON BEDS!

“Marry me.”

My heart stills, a shaky breath leaving my lungs. I feel my eyes widen, my lips slowly parting. My throat is tight as I try to swallow past the lump in it, butterflies breaking out of their cage and soaring swiftly in my belly.

“W-what?” I release his hair and bring my quivering hand to my chest, pressing against my rapidly beating heart, my eyes welling up with tears.

He smiles, kissing my lips tenderly. “Marry me, Minnie. I know it’s scary, and you feel like everything between us is moving at lightning speed, but time shouldn’t dictate when to do things right. Because everything between us, Cecilia, feels right. Is right.”

A tear slips free as he uses his thumb to swipe it away.

“I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t want to call you my girlfriend anymore.

I want to call you my wife. I want you to take my last name and be the mother of my children.

I want us to grow old and gray together.

I want everything with you. So, say yes, be my forever.

Because I’m already yours. Marry me, Minnie. ”

The tears race down to my ears, my bottom lip wobbling. He reaches behind me and extracts a small black box. It was right there, and I had no idea. This isn’t an impulse, it was planned.

He opens the little box, and a gorgeous engagement ring shines brightly with the sunlight filtering through the room.

A big cushion cut diamond sits in the center. Not obnoxiously big, but just enough to be seen from a distance, with a white-gold band holding eight little diamonds on each side. It’s beautiful and exactly what I would have chosen for myself. Simple yet elegant.

“Oh, Silas...” My fingers come to my mouth as I sob a little louder.

He kisses my tears away, then sits up and removes the ring from its box. “So, what do you say, Minnie? Will you be my forever?” he asks patiently with a smile .

“Yes, yes. A thousand times yes!”

He takes my left hand and slips the band onto my ring finger. A perfect fit. I don’t even take the time to look at it further, instead, I push myself up and grab his face, kissing the hell out of him.

“I love you!” Kiss. “I love you!” Another kiss. “I love you!”

Milo jumps onto the bed, joining in on the festivities as he licks our faces and rolls around us. “Were you in on this too, little guy? I think you were,” I tell him, kissing his snout, which earns me another lick to the cheek.

Finally, I look down to my left hand, admiring my new favorite ring. “Oh, Silas. It’s perfect.”

“A perfect ring, for my perfect wife,” he says proudly, a white, toothy smile aimed my way.

“Not yet.” I point at him with a raised brow.

“Soon, I was thinking mid-June. After the playoffs,” he says as he takes my hand in his and passes his thumb over the ring, gazing down at it with love.

“I like the sound of that. Six months isn’t a lot of time to plan a wedding, but you happen to be in luck. Turns out the bride and maid of honor are really good at planning events.” I plant a quick kiss to his lips.

“Hmm, you’re right. Can’t wait to see what they come up with.

” He takes me into his arms as we fall back onto the bed with me on top, chest to chest. “Speaking of maid of honor, maybe you should let her know before she finds out through someone else. I told the guys I was going to propose last night. But, well, things took a turn.” He nips at my neck.

“A very delicious turn. So I wouldn’t be surprised if Clay already told Morg, and I know her and Emma talk a lot, too. ”

At that exact moment, Milo’s ears perk up, surveying the doorway. He lets out a bark, then rushes off, out of the room.

“OH MY GOD! My best friend is getting married! AHHH!” Emma shouts from downstairs as we hear her running up the steps. “You two better have clothes on because I’m coming in!”

Silas and I both chuckle. “I swear, you say her name and she just magically pops up,” Silas says, closing his eyes, then rolls me off him and throws me the cover to hide my naked body. He must’ve gotten up earlier and put boxers on because we always sleep naked.

He stands from the bed just as Em comes racing into the room, jumping onto the bed like a maniac and nearly crashing into me. “SHOW ME, SHOW ME!”

I giggle and lift the back of my left hand while holding the comforter to my chest with my right. She grabs my hand, examining the ring. “ AHHH! You’re really getting married! Oh my God, I might cry.” She fans her face.

“Don’t, because then I’ll cry,” I say with a sniffle before laughing.

“I’ll leave you ladies to it and take Milo out. The cleaning crew should be arriving soon, and since we officially know Morgan is aware of the situation, they’re most likely on their way, too,” Sy says, arms folded over his chest as he watches us.

“Oh, they are. She told me,” Emma answers, not looking away from my engagement ring.

Silas chuckles and shakes his head, then bends at the waist beside the bed. He places one hand behind my head and kisses my lips. “I’ll get coffee running. I love you.”

“I love you.” I sigh dreamily. He’s perfect.

I watch him turn and stroll over to the walk-in, pulling on some gray sweats and a white t-shirt, exposing half of his tattoo. He looks up after pulling on the shirt and sends me a devilish smirk with a wink, then heads out of the room.

My cheeks heat in response. I’ll never get tired of watching him dress. The man is drool-worthy, and soon, I’ll get to call him my husband. I look back to my best friend and find her ogling my man with her mouth slightly parted, which makes me giggle.

“Yummy... how do you ever let him leave the house? Hell, why do you ever leave the house!? That man is—”

“All right, all right. I get it. Trust me, I get it .” I cut her off as we both laugh.

Once our giggles have subsided, she lets out a long sigh and smiles warmly. “I’m really happy for you, Cece. You deserve this more than anyone. I couldn’t have pictured someone better than Silas for you.”

“I don’t want anyone else but him,” I answer truthfully. “Just like I don’t want anyone else as my maid of honor. ”

“Me?” Her eyes water.

I nod and chuckle. “Of course, you. You’re like my sister.” She begins to weep into her hands. “Aw, you weren’t supposed to cry, Em! You’re the tough one, no tears!” I say as we both start tearing up.

“I know! I’m sorry, I can’t help it!” She sobs and throws herself into my naked arms.

“Oh no, am I missing the tears of joy party?”

We both look to the door and find Morgan standing in the threshold.

“No, you’re right on time. Come on!” Em tells her before Morg skips into the room, joining our embrace—her at my exposed back, and Emma at my sheet-covered front.

“I’m so happy for you two, sweetie. I knew you guys were meant for each other. God, I’m so excited! I love weddings!” We squeeze each other tighter, rocking from side to side and end up tipping over.

My back lies partially on top of Morgan, the cover somehow half wrapped around my body. Only exposing my legs and back, but all intimate parts stay hidden, while Emma rests her head on my chest, one leg swung over mine.

We’re a giggling, sobbing mess when we hear a low whistle come from the entrance to our room. We all turn to the noise, not letting go of our position, and find two very attractive hockey players watching us.

One leans his back against the open door, and the other against the wall on the opposite side of the doorway. Arms crossed at their chests and feet crossed at the ankle, clearly enjoying the view.

Silas looks over to Clay. “Is it just me, or does this feel like a fantasy come to life?”

“One hell of a fantasy,” Clay replies with a lustful smirk as he rubs at his jaw.

As I watch Clay giving his wife those ‘come fuck me’ eyes, the situation hits me. I’m naked... in bed. With four extra people in the room, and only one of those four should be seeing me in such a state. My body and face instantly flush bright red.

“Um, babe... I’m naked,” I try to say quietly, even though I’m pretty sure it’s obvious.

“Yeah, you are,” Silas says in an erotic voice, which further deepens my blush. I open my eyes wide and wait for my words to sink in.

It only takes a few seconds, but then his eyes widen like mine, and the smile on his face vanishes. “You’re naked... shit! You’re naked. Everyone out!”

He grabs his friend by the collar and pushes him out of the room. Clay, solely focused on his wife, doesn’t see it coming and nearly stumbles on his way out. Both girls giggle as they get up and caper out after the boys.

I lay on my back for a moment, arms raised above my head, and let out a joyful sigh, feeling like my life is finally getting its new beginning. With Silas.

Fifteen minutes and a quick shower later, I skip down the steps and join the gang in the kitchen, but Clay catches me before I make it around the counter to the coffee calling my name.

He wraps his arms around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. “Congratulations, C. Happy to officially have you in our family. And no, I didn’t see anything I wasn’t supposed to up there.”

I shake my head against his chest and pull away. “Thanks for letting me know.”

Silas has his ass perched against the counter with two cups in his hands, stretching one out to me .

I yank it from his hand and greedily take a long sip of the warm nectar. “Hmm, I love you,” I say, looking at the caramel-colored liquid.

“I love you too, babe.”

I look up and narrow my eyes. “I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to my coffee.”

Clay guffaws from behind us, slapping his hand to the kitchen island. “I think your future bride needs food. Welcome to married life, Hayes.”

Silas sets his mug beside him and pulls me by the waist into him, my cup held with both hands between us. “Is this how it’s going to be? I put a ring on your finger, and suddenly you stop loving me?” He pouts, giving me sad puppy eyes. Seems he’s picking up tricks from Milo.