The Photograph

Aelin

“No.”

“Morning, my love.”

When Gabe, who’s spooning me, slides his hand slowly down my chest to pause on my belly. I twist in his arm, suck on the skin of neck, and hook my leg over his hip. “Sleep.”

I shriek as he lifts me off the bed and sets me on my feet before him.

But I don’t want to wake up, so I set my cheek on his warm chest and wrap my arms around his waist. “It’s my birthday. I should be able to stay in bed all day if I want to.” I raise my pouting mouth to his. “Honey, it’s the middle of the night.”

Gabe’s chuckle ripples against my skin, and I cuddle up tighter.

“It’s 8:00, baby. I want to give you your birthday gift.”

“But you’ve already spoilt me yesterday. I don’t need anything else.”

And he did. Cara, Emma, and Gabe organized a surprise party with my team—sans John—after Emma, Cara, and Sam came over for the weekend.

His thumb brushes my lips. “Do it for me, baby.”

I can’t refuse him anything when he asks like that. And he knows it. I grunt and trudge to the bathroom.

In the car, I burrow in his neck and shut my eyes.

After what seems to be only a few minutes, he kisses my head. “Ready?”

I let him blindfold me and giggle as he carries me.

He sets me on my feet, shifts behind me to remove my blindfold, and whispers. “Happy birthday, Aelin.”

Opening my eyes on the foyer of Holloway, I tilt my face up to Gabe’s. “Sorry, honey, still sleepy. What am I looking at?”

He nuzzles my cheek. “The house, baby. Holloway is your gift.”

Just like that, I’m fully awake. I spin to face him. “What?”

He pecks my open mouth and grins. “You were right. The first time we talked, you thought I was buying Holloway as a gift for someone I love. Happy birthday, my Aelin. I love you.”

My heart bursts. I bury my face in his chest and look at the man I love. “Can we bring my studio and live here?”

His dimple deepens and he frames my face. “Whatever you want, but I have one condition.”

“Tell me.”

His gaze locks onto mine. “You have to make an honest man out of me.”

My breath rushes out while my eyes burn.

Gabe’s hold tightens. “Marry me, Aelin. I promise I’ll make you happy.”

Something bursts inside my chest while I smile and cry at the same time. “You already do. Yes. Yes.”

Gabe crushes me against him. “Welcome home, my love.”

The End