Ash believed that they needed to make the timing right and he had to be the one to do it. He has never loved anyone the way he loves Ariah. He knew she was more than patient with him and their relationship. He allowed her to process the last statement.
"And I love you...but as I said before... I am not ready" Ariah spoke softly and slowly, with her head held high being proud of her self-control. Ash's face became serious, the kind of face that only an opponent on the battlefield can say they have seen before. He quickly closed the gap between them, she was now backed against the door, their faces inches away from each other. Ariah had never seen this side of him before. She knew he would never lay a hand on her, she thought maybe he would put a hole in the wall or tell her that she was making a mistake and would regret it.
Just when she thought he had accepted things and his hand was reaching for the doorknob instead he reached for her cheek, he felt how warm it was and saw how her entire face became flushed just by his touch.
"You say that you are not ready but I don't think you truly believe that?" she shut her eyes feeling his thumb gently caressing her cheek.
As soon as she made eye contact with him, he removed his hand, he searched her eyes with a smirk on his face as if telling her that is not too late to change her mind. She frowned, placed her hands on his chest and pushed him onto a chair.
"I ask the questions and you better have the right answers" he now saw how serious she was, he knew it was going to be a long day and for a split second, he wondered if he fell into her trap of going into a room with her which she knew they would not be interrupted.
"We will no longer be sneaking around?" If Ariah was being honest with herself she was hoping that Ash would say exactly what she wanted to hear.
"No"
"What will be doing"? She asked
"We would be together, everyone will know that we love each other, that we are committed to each other." After hearing those words a grin played on her lips and she quickly hid it, not ready to give in.
"Are you going to leave me again?" Looking at him now, she remembers a little boy, the youngest of the three trying to keep up with his siblings. Yet she loved him then, just as much as she does now.
"No, wherever I go, you will be right there. I don't ever want to be away from you ever again."
"How do you plan on making it up to me?"
"Every way possible," he said now standing
Ariah pressed her lips against his, she kissed him as if to confirm that he was real, that he was really there with her and she was not just imagining them, here, now. What she was feeling is real and he is feeling the same way. Ending the kiss he began to smooth her hair.
"Not exactly how I planned our reunion to be" he kissed her neck
"Well, things between us have never been planned" she smiled
"Marry me"
"What?"
"Marry me and be my wife" he whispered against her lips
"Ash, we barely reconnected I don't think we should be jumping into marriage"
"I thought we reconnected e gave her one of his cocky smiles.
"That's not what I mean" he took her hand in his and drew small circles on her ring finger
"We have known each other our entire lives, us getting married was always going to happen. I think deep down you know it's about time" he kissed the back of her hand.
"I love you.... yes, yes, yes" Ariah whispered in between kisses.
At the Dining Hall
"I think it's a girl" Elise's ear was pressed to her Aunt Jessica's stomach trying to listen to the heartbeat while Meera began to set the table
"Or maybe it's twins" Renner jumped into the conversation while he and Eon were playing a game with Alexi.
"I think there is only room for one set of twins, at least for now"
"I will help train her, just like Alexi does with us" Elise had already envisioned her growing family and the roles each of them would have to step into when the new addition arrives. Jasper and Jessica were not only her aunt and uncle but also her godparents and just as they promised to always protect her, she would do the same for their child no matter the gender.... but she wanted a female cousin.
The doors opened to welcome Rena, Elijah, Luka, Jasper, His and Her Grace, the council meeting had finally ended just in time to have a big family lunch. His Grace gestured for his grandchildren to come to him.
"Children, why don't you go to grandma and grandpa's room and you will find next to the table your presents. Go get it and come back here and remember, no peeking," he knew he needed to get them out of the room momentarily to discuss what happened in the meeting to those who could not attend. Their little faces lit up at the mention of presents, they knew whenever any family member travelled that the gifts would always be amazing. They had gifts from different nations and some they had from their travels with their parents. They treasured the most since their travels as a family were not often. They hurried out of the room telling each other what they thought they were going to receive. As soon as the children's conversation could no longer be heard, they sat down at their respective seats at the table.
"The proposal has been accepted, the preparations have already begun, everyone will be notified and the celebration will be within two weeks" the verdict was explained by Elijah who saw the relief on everyone's face that a decision was made quickly. They needed to know who their friends and enemies were amongst their allies and then gain information on those with who they did not have alliances before the guilty party can be brought to justice.