I overheard Edward say to his girlfriend that his mom would have been proud of Andrew’s talent. I wanted to say something, but tears of happiness overwhelmed me. Perhaps if Edward can respect Andrew’s talent, then their relationship can be healed.
The only reason Andrew gave him another chance at forgiveness at all is because he’s the reason we got back together in the first place.
Still, it doesn’t stop my protective instinctive from kicking in. I’ll kick Edward’s ass if he even thinks about hurting Andrew. Not that Andrew can’t hold his own.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Andrew asks, reclaiming his seat at the bar and pulling me between his legs.
“Just thinking,” I say nonchalantly. “What else did you do while I was gone?”
“I’ll tell you if you tell me what you bought while you were out,” Andrew bargains.
He’s been trying to figure out my gift for him since Thanksgiving! For someone who doesn’t really get into Christmas, he sure is curious.
“Who said I bought anything?” I ask him evasively.
“I heard bags drop before you walked in here,” he tells me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I assure him with a slight shrug even as a playful smirk lifts my lips.
“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll find out soon enough.”
***
Later that night, Andrew calls me into his studio when I finish tidying the kitchen.
Gladys is on vacation for the next two weeks so I’ve stepped up to do the bulk of the housework. It’s the least I can do since I’m living here rent free.
In Andrew’s studio, I reach the landing and peer at him.
“What’s up?”
“I have something to show you. Come here,” he commands, pointing at the spot in front of him.
Walking over, I look at him curiously. There’s something weird in his voice but I can’t put my finger on it.
Once I’m standing in front of him he pulls a canvas from a nearby table and extends it in my direction.
“I know it’s not Christmas yet but I want you to have this since we’ll be at your mom’s house on the actual day. This is a little difficult to carry on the plane,” he states as my eyes roam over it.
It’s an abstract piece, comprised of the colors red and black. The swirling tones are most intense in the center of the painting while the outer edges are only splattered with faint red lines.
My eyes scan over it several times in quick succession. For some reason passion and love jump out at me as I take it all in.
I love it.
Smiling, I express gratitude. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”
Andrew grins. “Don’t you want to know what it is?”
It’s a painting. What is he talking about?
“I thought the whole purpose of an abstract painting was that the meaning is left up to the interpretation of the observer.”
My eyes travel back to the painting again, trying to make out any distinctive figures or clues. But I come up empty. The colors are fused together so well it’s like they were made to complement each other. Perfectly coming together like two lovers meant for each other’s bodies.
“We made this,” Andrew fills me in as I continue gawking at it.
My frown is apparent with this new information.
“What are you talking about, us? I’ve never painted…”
And that’s when it comes rushing back to me.
That night after the movies. We’d painted each other and fucked like rabbits right on top of this canvas.
Mouth wide, I look at the painting with new eyes this time. Every splash and smear of paint is more significant now.
When I turn my eyes back to Andrew, he isn’t there. Well, he is but he isn’t standing.
Kneeling beside me, he opens a red ring box and tears instantly clog my throat.
Oh, my God.
“I think I fell in love with you that night and I knew I didn’t want anybody but you for the rest of my life. You complete me,” he says, looking up at me adoringly. The love in his eyes is enough to make my knees weak.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“Lilah, will you marry me?”
Speechless, I set the painting down and drop to my knees to cover his face in kisses.
Chuckling, Andrew pulls a dazzling ring from the cushioned box and grabs my hand.
“This ring belonged to my mother and now I want you to wear it as my wife. What do you say?”
“Yes! Oh my God, yes I’ll marry you! Are you kidding me?”
With another chuckle, Andrew slips the ring on my finger and it’s a perfect fit.
I’m engaged.
Holy crap, I’m going to be Mrs. Lilah Knight.
Andrew lifts my chin up, so I look into his wonderful eyes.
“To be honest, Cupcake… Lilah, this why Edward was here tonight. He had our mom’s ring and wanted me to have it to give to you when I told him what I was planning to do tonight. As I said, this is an investment.”
Andrew’s smile at his own joke makes me squeal in joy.
“And there’s something else.”
He hands me a sealed envelope with a cute cupcake drawn on the front, which I snatch from his hands. I rip it open as he continues.
“I know how much your project means to you. I want to you have this and I want you to make your dreams come true.”
The check is for one million dollars.
“This for your project. I believe in you, Lilah, and I believe in your project.”
Happiness swells within me as joyful tears start running down my cheeks. This is the happiest day of my life.
Making His Baby
We’re making this baby the old-fashioned way.
With my billions, I’ll pay whatever it takes for her to have my child.
And I’m going to have fun putting it in her.
After the baby’s born, she can go back to her regular life.
But the way she screams my name in bed makes me want more.
For the first time in years I want
