I exit the shower, sitting a towel down so we didn't slip. I get out and grab another towel, and I notice Liliana getting out. I stop her.
"Stop," I said, putting a finger in front of her.
She looked at me, confused. She crossed her arms and gave me a grumpy, pouty look. I motion for her to raise her arms, she did. I proceeded to wrap the towel around her slender, curvy figure and move it up and down her back, up to her shoulders, and across her backside. As I did, I blew on her stomach, tickling her. She giggled and squirmed as I did, trying to get away from me. I pulled her close, kissing her from her collarbone to her lips. I feel her smile into the kiss, and pull back to look me in the eyes. As she looks at me, a smile creeps onto my face. I lift her out of the tub, spinning her around. I placed her on the ground and helped her dry off. We proceed to our room and pull on pajamas.
"Lili," I say, garnering her attention.
"Yes, my love?"
"Let's spend the day at home? Then, later, we can go out to dinner. Just the two of us?"
She looks at me for a moment, then smiles.
"Sounds wonderful, sweetheart."
She ties her long, black hair back into a pony tail, and pulls one of my shirts over her head. It barely hits her thighs, and the blue suits her quite well.
"My gods, Lili… You look…."
She looks at me, confused.
"What?"
"You leave me utterly speechless."
I jump across the bed and pull her into it, nuzzling her neck. We lie there for a moment, snuggling each other and enjoying the softness of the bed. It was perfect, it's been ages since we've had a moment to ourselves, a moment to just enjoy each other's company. Lili rolls over to me, looking into my eyes. I kiss her on the forehead, and look into her big eyes, they were beautiful black gems. She's so perfect, so beautiful. I would love to dip into her mind and lose myself in her thoughts, but this is enough. I could spend eternity just gazing into her yes.
"Lili," I said, wrapping my arms around her. She did the same, curling in close. "Yes, my love."
"I love you, and you're the most perfect person to ever grace my presence."
This drew a smile onto her lips and she pulled me into her and kiss me deeply. I rub my hand up and down her back, and put pressure on her hip, but before we can get carried away, she pulls back.
"I love you as well, Jace. But, you're the perfect one. You're my reason to crawl out of bed, to wake up and to breathe again. She sighed and snuggled into my chest.
"You know, Jace, I've been alive for nearly 250 years, and have walked the multiverse for about the same. But never, not once, in all my years have I met a man more important than you. And I don't mean your rank in Ravnica."
I turn to look her in the eyes, "Lili…I…"
"You need to hear this. After everything happened with Kallist, Tezzeret and Bolas, when..when we split up..I hurt. I hurt badly, for the second time in my life. But this hurt was new, strange. I wasn't like when I had to leave Josu. I missed you, my body ached for you, my mind called out for you. I longed to be here next to you. I almost came back several times, ask Teysa. It got to a point where I wanted to give up and just turn myself over to the demons. There was always a voice that told me no, you have to keep going. That was you."
She shakes me off, sitting up.
"No matter who I saw, who attempted to court me, I would go on dates, but there was always one face that replaced theirs. One face that still had my heart. Yours, Jace Beleren. You consumed my heart and my mind. I love you."
Being a mind mage, I've heard these thoughts before. Hearing her verbally express them warmed my heart and made me smile from ear to ear. In that moment, I fell in love with her all over again. Seeing the blush on her face was amazing. She is going to make a beautiful bride. I take her in my arms once more, collapsing to the bed once more. We locked lips, kissing each other passionately. I pull her close to me and put my hand on the small on her back. She pulls the blankets around us. She rolls over, putting her back to my chest. I feel my eyes begin to grow heavy, and little Titan curls around my head. Sleep overtakes me and I hear Lili's precious snores as I fall asleep.
(Liliana Vess)
I wake to Jace cuddling me from behind, and Titan curled around my head. I try not to disturb Titan, but he wakes, wiggling his fins and kissing me on the cheek. I scratch his little ears and he makes a happy squeak. I love that little manta ray. Jace is sleeping soundly and peacefully, I don't wake him. He doesn't sleep much at night. I kiss him on the forehead, smiling.
"Go back to sleep, Titan."
He swims back to Jace's side, falling back asleep quickly. I make my way downstairs and pour a cup of juice and get a few crackers to settle my queasy stomach. I haven't felt nauseous since the elixir, but it must be wearing off.
There is a knock at the door, I answer it swiftly, as not to wake Jace.
"Hello, Miss Vess. The healer sent me here with more nausea elixir."
"Oh, thank the gods."
"And some news."
"Yes?"
"Congratulations, you're expecting!"
"What?"
"You're pregnant!"
"Okay; thank you."
I shut the door, as I hear Jace coming down the stairs. I barely have time to process the information before he enters the room. We'll deal with this together, but I can't afford to think about it right now.
"Who was that?"
"Someone from the Rakdos coming from door to door."
"They do that from time to time."
"Are you ready for our night out?"
"I've got some primping to do, and I'm guessing you're not going in your sleep pants."
"Nah."
I go into my closet in my old room, and pick out a short, blue, full lace number that Jace bought quite some time ago. It has a black belt and flares at the waist and hits my knees. I curl my hair into loose, long curls and put on a pair of black peep-toe heels. He's going love this. I generally don't wear any colors but black or purple. I stand in our doorway and watch Jace get dressed. He has on a gray jacket that buttons across his chest with a blue vest; he's also adorned with a pair of gray pants that make him look very dapper. His black hair is it's usual mess. He takes my breath away.
"Helloooo, handsome."
"Lili…my gods…you… damn."
"You like?"
"If we weren't pressed for time, you'd be bent over the bed, you sexy necromancer, you."
I stand behind him and kiss his neck, whispering in his ear.
"They'll be plenty of time for that tonight."
The pants that were already tight hide none of his arousal; he growls a low, throaty noise at me.
I intentionally drop the clutch I was holding and bend to pick it up.
We were fifteen minutes late to our reservation.
But hey, no one said anything, because no one questions the guildpact.
Jace and I sit down at the table, and have a wonderful evening talking and laughing. I can't bring myself to tell him about the pregnancy. I promise myself that I'll tell him tomorrow.
As we walk back toward the house, Jace seems nervous and doesn't talk much, and his palms are clammy when he holds my hand.
As I turn the key in the lock, he grabs my hips and gives them a squeeze. We walk into the foyer of the house and he grabs my hand. As I turn, Jace is on one knee. I breathe in a sharp breath.
" I know how you feel about marriage. I know you're scared. I know that you don't think you should have to marry me to prove you love me. I'll understand if you say no. But Lili, please do me the honor of letting me make you happy for the rest of your life. You will never have to be alone again. This is me, saying that I want to be by your side for the rest of eternity. I'm willing to do whatever I have to so that we never have to be apart. Be my wife for the rest of time, Liliana Calliope Vess?"
My mind entertains saying no. That is my first reaction. But I look at the man before me, the man that has always risked his life for me, and is bearing his heart to me. The man that would do anything for me, the man that has always crossed hell and high water so that we are safe and together. The man that I'm about have a family with. When all these reasons cross my head, it's impossible to say no. I look Jace in the eyes and swallow, hard.
"Yes, Jace Rahl. I want to be with you forever." This much is not a lie.
He slides the ring, black gold with three sapphires on my third finger on my left hand. He kisses me passionately and we move to our room where he lies me down on the bed.
I'm still sore from earlier, but we waste no time.
After he makes love to me for the third time today, we both pass out, mentally and physically exhausted.
There is a slight movement at the window. I shrug it off and turn my back to Jace, falling asleep and wondering about the noise…
The outtake for this chapter will be posted on my tumblr jetaimejace-tumblr-com It can be smut or plot driven. Whatever gets the most votes in a review, I'll do. Enjoy guys, and Merry Christmas from Michael and I. Be healthy, happy, and safe.
-Cara