Page 93 of Freeing Ruby
“Okay.”
He looks at me in surprise. “Really? You want to?”
“Sure, let’s do it.”
Miguel chuckles. “Next thing you know, you’ll let me take you to Navy Pier.”
“I remember Mom and Edward taking me to Navy Pier once when I was little. I think I’d like that. Maybe we can take Edward with us.”
Miguel reaches for my hand. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”
When we arrive back at our building, Miguel parks near the elevators in the underground garage. He whisks me out of the car, sweeping me up into his arms, and carries me to the elevator. I squeal out of a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.
When the elevator doors open, a small crowd of teenagers emerges, all of them staring at us.
Miguel carries me into the elevator, and when the doors close, leaving us alone, he kisses me breathless.
The elevator lets us out on our floor, and Miguel continues carrying me.
I laugh. “Put me down, silly. I can walk.”
He sets me on my feet outside our door and fishes in his pocket for his keys. “How does it feel to be home?” he asks as he opens our door.
“Wonderful,” I say as I step inside.
Pumpkin runs up to greet us, and I bend down to pet him.
This is our home now. After discussing it, Miguel and I have decided we want to stay here permanently. I love the view of the lake, but more importantly, I love being close to our friends. Layla and I, especially, have become quite close. We’re constantly running back and forth between each other’s apartment.
* * *
That night, as we’re lying in Miguel’s bed—we’ve started sleeping in his bed as it’s bigger than mine—with Pumpkin curled up at our feet, Miguel reaches into the top drawer of his nightstand and retrieves a small black velvet jewelry box. He opens it, revealing a slender gold band set with a gorgeous, sparkling red ruby. “I realize this might be too soon,” he says.
I’m sure my eyes are as wide as saucers when I shake my head. “It’s not.”
He smiles. “I love you more each day, and I don’t ever want to live a single day without you.” When my eyes tear up, he kisses me gently. “I’ll be your knight, your protector, for the rest of your life if you’ll have me.”
My throat tightens, and I think this can’t possibly be happening. “You know how I am. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I know you, and I love all of you,” he says. “I’m sure.”
Pumpkin chooses that moment to walk across me to get between us. He head-butts Miguel’s hand that holds the ring box.
“It’s a package deal,” I say. “If you want me, you get Pumpkin, too.”
He chuckles. “I accept.” He takes the ring from the box and slips it onto my ring finger on my left-hand. He kisses me, and then he says, “Eres mi vida para siempre.”
His voice and the words are lovely. “What does that mean?”
“It means, ‘You are my life forever.’”
* * *
