urbandev | [130]

And Anita's hand reached out to swat his hand.

"I'd marry you tomorrow, but time is a good thing, too. I'd... like to let friends know and I'd love to have them there with us to celebrate. Hell Reeve, I just... want to be with you."

He caught the hand, lacing their fingers together.

"You have me, love. Even if we never get married, I'm not leaving you."

Anita stared down at their joined hands for several long moments.

"So when in August?"

"Early." He smiled, kissing her cheek. "We probably need two dates, in case the first is a curse day."

"Good idea. I'm not getting married again during a curse."

He nodded, tightening his arms around her.

"I'm so glad you chose me, sweetheart."

She hummed and let her eyes close, secure in his arms.

"... why'd you pick me?"

He stroked through her hair, gently gathering the strands and combing through them.

"Because, Anita, you're a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman. I can't imagine being without you, now."

"I meant at the beginning. After the mistletoe."

His touch was so relaxing.

The mistletoe. That's harder to explain.

He rested his chin on her shoulder again, his hands stroking her back and shoulders to relax the muscles.

"I think I had feelings for you long before the mistletoe. I kept my distance because I assumed we couldn't be together."

"Would you have come forward if I hadn't said kissing me during the curse was alright?"

She's just talking now; saying what's popped into her head before she can really think about it. It's another sign of just how much she trusts him.

"I don't know." He smiled a little, taking the opportunity just to watch her. Relaxed Anita might be his new favorite. Right after Sleepy Anita and Lustful Anita, and -- okay, he's not going to be choosing tonight. But still.

"After the mistletoe curse, I kept thinking about you. It was fairly unbearable, actually. But I don't know if I'd ever have acted without you encouraging me.

Smiling softly, she sighed.

"Well then, I'm glad for the curse and that I had the guts to tell you it was alright afterwards."

He laughed a little, leaning around for a gentle kiss.

"Your turn, miss. Why did you tell me it was fine?"

She let her lips play against his for a long moment.

"Because it was. I'd noticed you at work a few times, and you were always nice to me to begin with, but after some time, you started talking more to me. Then, I remember you coming to check on me during some rough curses. I was mortified, honestly, but... you never said anything about seeing me weak like that, or scared of me. That's a big thing, you know. Back home, everyone wanted me for my power or what I could do for them, but you acted like you wanted me for me. It was... something new, and I liked it."

"The more you tell me about your home, the more I'm convinced you know a bunch of fools." He shook his head, cupping her cheeks.

"You're remarkable, lover. Any man with sense would want you, and accept what he was being given freely."

She laughed under her breath.

"We're all fools, Reeve. They... back home, my power and such isn't like it is here. It's... more demanding on my time and energy."

His compliment made her cheeks heat up a bit.

He shook his head, hugging her tighter.

"I can understand that." He still thinks she's under appreciated there.

He smiles at the blush, pressing another kiss against her lips. "I love you so much, Anita."

She kisses him back, slow and sweet.

"I love you too, Reeve. I... never got to give you your present yesterday. Well, other than myself, but I'm a bit too demanding to be a present. Would you like it now?"

He blinked in surprise. "You threw me a party, love." The smile grew deeper and more than a little self-satisfied. "And I certainly enjoyed the rest of the night."

But of course he wanted whatever else she'd gotten him.

She aimed a gentle swat at him as she climbed to her feet and padded off to where her coat was hanging. "I'm shocked you were able to get up at a decent time today."

A small box in hand, she returned to settle again, but this time, she knelt in front of him, her hand outstretched, the small velvet box nestled on her palm.

She'd picked the ring up after he'd brought her hers. It was the perfect companion piece to hers; from the same place, even, a wide white gold band with an inset garnet and small diamond accents to the sides.

"... I got it for your wedding band but... just in case, I wanted you to have it."

He laughed a little. "You certainly didn't make it easy for me, love."

But his glibness slid away as she came closer with the box. He opened it carefully, taking in the ring.

"Do you mind if I wear it early?" He smiled a little, glancing up to her.

"I'm never easy on my lovers."

She nodded an answer to his question, watching him. "No, you can, if you want to."

He pulled her in, giving her a gentle kiss and threading his fingers through the hair at her temples.

"Thank you, sweetheart. I couldn't ask for anything else."

He pried the ring free from its case and pressed it into her hands. He wanted her to do the honors.

She took the ring and slid it onto his ring finger, kissing him as it slid home. Her fingers moved to twine with his as she pulled back a little.

"... always, Reeve."

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