Later that year…
"Are you ready?" he asked.
She nodded. "Let's see, then."
He opened the bedroom door and she gasped.
"Oh… James… it's beautiful!"
She walked in and ran her hand along the carved wood of their new four post bed. They had moved into the new house a week ago and Olivia had her hand in decorating, but James insisted she leave the bedroom to him. She kept asking why, but he wouldn't tell. Now she could see what his little surprise was.
"It's just as beautiful as when we saw it in the shop," she smiled. He came up and hugged her from behind. "Thank you."
He kissed her cheek and smiled. "You're very welcome."
She looked around the room and saw he'd put up several photos of them together, including a few he'd taken of her at the beach.
"When did you take that one?" she asked.
"Right before those kids started the bonfire." He smiled. "You looked so relaxed and peaceful and just…" he shrugged. "I thought it deserved a photo."
She smiled and leaned back into his embrace. "You old romantic."
"Only for you. And if you tell anyone, I know where your ticklish spots are…" he warned.
She laughed. "Fair enough. I still can't believe you got it. How on earth did you manage to sneak it in?"
"I have my ways." He smiled and kissed her neck. "Besides, it was no trouble. I'd do anything for you."
"And I'd do anything for you."
"Anything?"
She smiled and turned her head to kiss him. "Anything."
She felt one arm leave her waist as he reached into his pocket. She looked down to see what he was doing and when he brought his arms around her again, she nearly cried.
"Does that include marrying me?"
She turned around to face him. "I…"
"I know with the vampire thing, we've got plenty of years together… and there's probably not much sense in it since we've got all this time ahead of us now, but… I would still like us to be together. Properly." He reached out to caress her cheek. "So… will you marry me?"
She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a deep kiss.
He smiled. "Please tell me that was a yes."
She giggled. "Yes. Of course yes."
He slipped the ring onto her finger before lacing her fingers with his. She smiled, staring at the ring and their intertwined fingers before leaning up to kiss him again.
He smiled against her lips, wiping a stray tear from her cheek as she pulled away.
She smirked.
Her hands started slowly unbuttoning his shirt.
"What do you think you're doing?" he smirked.
"Well… we have a new bed to break in… and we do have an engagement to celebrate now…" she looked up at him with a smirk and a twinkle in her eye. "I thought it would be rather nice to celebrate."
"Oh did you?" he smirked, pecking her lips. "Did you really?"
She shrieked as he picked her up and spun her around. He fell back on the bed, still holding her, so that she was on top of him, straddling his waist. She giggled and leaned down to kiss him.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Good. Because I love you, too." He smiled and pulled her tight against him, rolling his hips so she could feel just how happy he was to celebrate.
She laughed and kissed him again, rolling them over so he was on top of her.
His heart felt full to bursting with all the emotion inside of him. Emotions he never thought he could feel.
Until her.
His lips kissed every inch of skin he could get his hands on. She'd made him happier than he'd ever thought possible and he couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life with her. Especially now that he had so many years with her to look forward to.
She was happier than she'd ever been in all her years. She wanted to cry, but that would ruin the mood entirely, so she held her tears back and concentrated on the feel of his lips against her skin. She finally found what she'd been looking for all those years. Someone to love her. Someone who could accept her for who she was. All of who she was.
She couldn't stop smiling.
They tumbled on the bed a few more times, giggling between kisses, both feeling a sense of happiness and completeness that they never dreamed they could feel.
Their limbs intertwined and their lips crashed together in a passionate kiss.
Fire and ice.
Adrenalin.
The kind of rush that comes with absolute freedom.
When he pushed into her, he heard her moan his name and he smiled, claiming her lips in another deep kiss.
It felt like pure joy.
It felt like new life.
It felt like a lot like love.