Eloise gasps. “Don’t say that! Murten is perfect!”
I press my face to her neck, kissing her pulse point. “I’m only saying it because I want him to have a long, long, healthy life.”
“It sounds so reasonable when you put it like that.” She pushes her lip out. “I’m just so weak. I can’t stop giving him more food and treats when he asks.”
I laugh under my breath, remembering the day we officially adopted Murten and brought him into the house. From the moment he stepped inside, he became the king of the land. Now, he’s so spoiled you’d never know he lived outdoors his whole life.
“Murten has us both wrapped around his finger. I don’t hold it against you.”
Eloise giggles, leaning her head onto my shoulder. “You’re a good cat dad, Riot. I can’t wait to see you as an actual dad with little Riots running around.”
I whip my face to hers, my breath freezing in my lungs. “What?”
Her face heats. “Sorry. I know it's probably too soon to bring up kids…”
I shake my head, worried my ribs will crack from the strength of my heart pounding against them. “Not at all. Do you want them?”
She nods, taking her lip between her teeth. “With you? Yes.”
The sky opens up, and a bolt of lightning reaches down to strike the center of my chest. “Fucking good. Because I wantallof the little Eloise’s running around.”
“Really? I’d be okay with a few Riots,” she whispers. “More than a few, even.”
With a trembling hand, I push her glass up to her lips, reaching into my pocket with the other. “Drink your champagne, sweet girl. For my sake.”
“Your sake?”
“Yes. It’ll help my nerves.”
Eloise gazes up beneath her thick lashes. “Nerves? Who are you and what have you done with my Riot?”
“I’m always nervous when it comes to you, Eloise.” I gaze deep into her sky-blue pools, desperate for her to feel all the love in my words. “Always worried I’m going to fuck this up.”
“You won’t,” she says, like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “I know you won’t. I don’t know how I do, but… it’s true. I trust you, Riot. With my heart, with everything.”
For once, I’m all out of things to say. So instead, I get in front of her on one knee, crack the lid of the little black box, and hold it up so she can see the ring.
“Eloise Jane Marquette… love of my life, light of my soul… will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
Eloise gasps, pushing forward onto her knees. Her hands reach up, cupping my face as tears stream down hers. But she’s wearing a smile—a glorious, pure one—and I know her answer before she even says it.
“Yes,” she whispers, voice a revered hush. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Hands trembling, I take out the ring and slide it on her finger, the massive diamond glinting in the light of the dying sun. It’s beautiful, but it pales in comparison to my Eloise.
My fiancée.
I crash my mouth to hers, and the sky opens up, raining starlight and magic down onto our entwined bodies. The worldfalls away, and it’s just me, Eloise, and a love big enough to flood the ocean.
At that moment, I know I’m truly the luckiest man alive.
