50. Isabella

It's been one year since we've been together—for real. Over the course of the last six months, however, some things have definitely changed. For one, I don't feel the desire or need to be as dominating as I once was outside of work. Most nights, when I lock up the dungeon and come home, I'd rather fall at Ginger's feet. My head has found peace again, my thoughts clear and my wants and wishes clearly aligned with his. Sometimes, Edward makes me feel so good, so fucking incredible about myself it scares me.

He's told me more than once that he saw a change in me. I know I'm still a switch, and I will always be now, but in this relationship? I let him call the shots more than fifty percent of the time; more than seventy percent of the time. It feels stupid, changing for a guy, but this happened naturally—gradually. No one forced me to be something I'm not. It's what feels right between Edward and me. It's who we are: we push and pull and surrender. Time and time again. But now, it's with love and devotion and he makes my insides flutter every day. Our behavior is a far cry from when we first met. Way back then, I was wild and lost. Edward is the anchor I always needed, keeping me grounded and sane and safe. I finally feel like me again, and that alone is enough to make me feel the happiest girl on earth.

"Baby?" He calls for me, his voice reverberating through the apartment. I put a fresh coat of lipstick on and walk out of the bathroom to find Edward by the kitchen island. He's looking at me, smiles when I come around to sit next to him.

"What's wrong?" I wonder, spotting the frown Ginger wears. It's a Saturday, he never frowns on Saturday since it's our play night. "You okay?" I steal his coffee, sip twice before setting it back down.

"Nothing's wrong until you tell me stuff I don't want to hear," he says cryptically, running a hand through his hair and getting it out of his face.

"What's that supposed to mean?" My long hair falls over my shoulder when I cock my head, staring at the way his fingers move in his lap, fidgetting with the rings there. He's nervous.

Ginger sighs, gets up, and runs his fingers along the little chain around my neck.

"I want to collar you," he says sweetly. I snort.

"You already have."

"No," he barks, yet his eyes melt me on the spot when I realize where this conversation is going. "Officially."

"You w—"

"I want the whole fucking world to know that you're mine, Havoc." He tucks away a wayward strand of hair behind my ear, lets his fingers glide down my jaw before unclasping the necklace from around my neck.

"But,"

"You'll get a better one, baby. Promise. Until then…" He reaches for one of the built-in drawers on the kitchen island, gets out a box. I gasp, my heart stuttering. "I want to collar you, but I also want this, for the vanilla-shit people who can't seem to keep their hands off you," he says, getting the lid open, presenting me a beautiful silver ring, black diamonds encrusted in the band and a big—huge—one on top. It's beautiful, I'm speechless. "You're off-limits to the entire world, Isabella Swan. Marry me." There's a cocky smile, as if he already knows my answer, as if he can read it off my face. Who am I kidding? Of course he can. Ginger knows my body, heart, and soul like no one. He knows about every cue, has memorized everything about me, and often uses it against me. I love him for it. I love him, period.

"Yes," I say. My face feels hot, heart beating fast against my ribcage. I'm going to marry Edward Masen.

"Fuck, really?" He looks like a boy, happy and eager and like he doesn't believe me right now.

"Yeah, I want to be yours, fully. In any way possible," I smile.

Edward wastes no time, sliding the ring around my finger. It looks like it's made for me, the color matching my nails, the silver complimenting my skin tone. I bite my lip.

"I'm glad you said 'yes', baby Havoc. Because our ceremony is tonight." His voice is soft, head buried in my neck. I pull away, a shocked expression on my face.

"What? And you're only asking me today? Are you crazy?"

"I've had this planned for weeks now, but I always chickened out." He chuckles. "Jasper agreed to lead the ceremony at the club. We have the whole place to ourselves tonight. I want you wearing your hair up in that sexy-ass bun you always do and you'll be wearing the latex dress I love on you so much, okay?" I nod silently. I can't fucking wait.

"You didn't invite every member, did you?" I ask carefully. He just laughs.

"I know you, baby Havoc. It's just us, Alice and Jas and Rose and Emmett." His words spread love through my entire system. He really does know me. He knows all there is to know about me and loves me regardless.

"Wait, they knew the entire time?" I go over all the times I've run into one of them. Hell, we've seen everyone at the club every week. It's nuts that my friends were able to keep this a secret.

"Yeah," Edward chuckles. "You weren't wrong about Rose. Woman really is a tomb when it comes to keeping secrets. She helped me organize everything and Alice is decorating as we speak."

"I really love you, silly man." I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him fiercely, my entire body melting around his.

"I love you too, crazy little Havoc."

I'm going to be Master Masen's. Forever.

Aaah, they really had a crazy ride getting here. I love these guys, but for now, this is their end.
Thank you so much for reading another +50K words from me. I appreciate it more than I can say!