In the background, I hear the sound of him typing on the computer behind me, but I pay it no mind, too lost in the moment.
Gideon has a way of calming me. Of knowing just what I need to forget the things that hover over me.
He’s my perfect half, and I like to think I am his.
When he pulls away, I know it’s time.
Together, we turn toward the screen. To the Juilliard application status page. Then together we read it.
Accepted.
A rush of emotions hits me.
Tears well in my eyes.“I did it.”
“You did.”
I narrow my eyes. “You didn’t do anything to help the process, right?”
“What do you think I did, bribe admissions and threaten them with bodily harm?”
I lift an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”
“Listen. You’re right. I would. Don’t you know by now that I would do anything to make you happy? I would do anything; no matter how extreme the measures seem, I’d do it. But in this case, I didn’t have to.”
I playfully smack his chest. “Stop being a Neanderthal.”
He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. “I’ll show you a Neanderthal.”
I let out a squeal the entire way out of his office and up the stairs.
A memory flashes before my eyes as I giggle. It’s a memory of the first day I got here so many months ago.
It’s funny how we could be doing the same thing, but how different it is.
No matter his past or his current dealings, I still love him.
Because I’m in love with the man beneath all of that.
The man he doesn’t allow many to see.
When we finally open the door, he places me down. There is a funny look in his eyes that I can’t decipher.
“What’s going on?” I ask, and he smirks.
“I was going to wait, but I can’t think of a better time than now.”
“Wait for what?” He doesn’t answer me right away. Instead, he drops to the floor.
My hand flies to my mouth as I realize what’s happening.
“Firefly. I love you. I’m obsessed with you. You’re my everything.” Tears stream down my cheeks. “Marry me.”
“Yes,” I answer. He stands, and I fling myself into his arms. “I love you.”
And I do. I love him. All that he is. All that he was. All that he will ever be.
He’s mine, and I’m his.
Forever.