Page 120 of The Empress

“Thank you so much,” I say as I lift my hand to trail my fingers over the back of his neck.

“Anything for you,principessa.”

He starts the engine, and as we drive to the other property, there’s so much excitement and happiness in my heart, I can’t stop smiling.

When Leo pulls up to a beautiful piece of land, I’m hit with more happiness than I can handle. Tears sneak from my eyes, and I use my fingers to brush them away.

“You okay?” Leo asks.

“It’s so heartwarming and overwhelming to know the horses will be able to live in peace on this property.”

Leo brings the car to a stop near the stables and leans over the console to press a kiss to my temple. “Cazzo, I love your beautiful heart so much.”

We climb out of the Porsche, and a man comes out of the stables to greet us.

“This is Gianni. He’s the caretaker, but he doesn’t speak English,” Leo says before he shakes Gianni’s hand. He introduces us and acts as translator while we greet each other.

They talk for a little bit before Leo leads me into the stables. “I just told him Massimo and the others are coming soon, so he can get things ready.”

As I glance into one stall after the other, I say, “You know I’m going to spend a lot of time here, right?”

“Of course. I’ll have to teach you Italian so you can communicate with Gianni.”

“That would be great.” When we walk out the other side of the stables, there’s a piece of land stretching as far as the eye can see.

“I’m going to erect more enclosures and stables on this area,” Leo says as we walk into the field.

“You’re doing so much for me,” I whisper, struck with awe. When we stop walking, I glance up at Leo, “What do you want as a wedding gift?”

“Just you.” He stares at me for a moment, then I’m in for a surprise as Leo goes down on one knee. His eyes fill with love as he says, “Haven, when I laid eyes on you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world. I was wrong.”

Wait. What?

“Because you’re not just the most beautiful, but the most selfless and caring person I’ve ever met. The way you love those around you humbles me. The passion you live with shows me how dull my life was before you. For seventeen years, I was lost,then you came back into my life to revive me with your love.” He pats the spot where his tattoo is. “Stellina mia.”

My heart.

Leo pulls a ring out of his pocket, a black diamond set in a bed of tiny sparkling ones.

“Without you, I’ll continue to wander, lost in the darkness. Will you shine your starlight on me for the rest of our lives?”

When he climbs back to his feet, I stare deep into his eyes as tears run down my face. “Yes, Leo.”

He pushes the wedding ring onto my finger, and this time it fits perfectly, then he whispers, “Please don’t ever remove it.”

My voice is a trembling mess from all the happy emotions I’m experiencing, and I struggle but manage to say, “I won’t.”

Leo frames my cheeks with his hands and presses a loving kiss to my mouth.

When he pulls back, a sob escapes from me, but I fight back the tears so I can say, “Our journey together started with a lot of bumps and craziness, but after being loved by you with such intensity, I know no one else will ever be able to compare to you. Out of over eight billion people, I choose you to spend my life with. I will love you through all the good and bad times ahead.”

Emotion ripples over his face. “What did you just say?”

“I love you, Leo. With all my heart.”

He moves fast, and his mouth slams into mine, as if he’s desperate to taste the words on my tongue. Between kisses, I manage to whisper, “You are the most important person in my life.”

Leo’s arms wrap around me, and when he lifts his head, he looks at me with so much happiness.

I commit this incredible day to my memory, hoping that out of all the memories I’ll make in my lifetime, this is the one I’ll never forget.

The End.