Dad looks to me and then to Tony, and he throws his hands up in the air. "This is what you want, Libby? After all I've done for you? Fine. You go off and have your fun. Never mind all the work I put into this place for you."
He rips his apron off, moving towards the door of our apartment and I dart after him.
"Daddy, wait. It's not like that."
"No?"
He turns around when I touch his arm and I hope he can read in my face just how much he's breaking my heart. "Daddy, I'm sorry. I should have said something years ago, but the bakery means so much to you. All I want to do is take pictures, try to be an artist. This is your dream, not mine."
He lets out a breath, nodding slowly. "Yeah. I can see that." His brows are still dark over his eyes, and he glares past me, to where Tony's standing. "And what about him?"
"I want to be with him Daddy. I know he's older than me, but no one has ever made me feel the way that he does and I-I don't want to give that up. I don't want to lose you over this. Please, can you try to understand? He makes me so happy."
Dad's shoulders sag and he nods again, looking from Tony back to me. "He better, that's all I'm saying. Or I'm going to have to do something stupid to avenge you, and everyone in the whole of this city knows I'm way too small time to take on the likes of Tony."
Tony barks out a laugh, stepping closer and I feel the tension in my shoulders ease. Everything's going to be okay.
"You and Libby, huh?" Dad says, and suddenly Tony's all smiles, slapping my Dad on the shoulder.
"Yeah, me and Libby. She's the only woman for me. I guess you did good bringing her up after all."
"Watch it, you."
Tony
After telling Libby's Dad about us there's only one thing on my mind and I can't shake the thought all day long. Being together is all I want now, and there's no reason to wait to make it official and forever now that we have the okay.
I pick Libby up again in the early evening, after texting ahead to tell her to be ready and to bring her camera again.
I have a tour of some of the most picturesque places in the city planned and then dinner at the chef's table in one of the restaurants whose owner owes us a couple of favors. But that's not the main event. Not by a long shot.
"Where are we going?"
I grin down at her. "You'll see."
Just like I knew she would, Libby comes alive behind the lens of the camera, taking shots of all the places that I thought she'd love. I get to see the unexpected sides of the city, given the work that I do. I know the buildings and the streets by who owns what, and who's under our protection, but mostly that means I get a different view on it all.
There are parks where people like to meet because they’re full of people, and other places where they're unlikely to be observed.
The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool up in Lincoln Park is one of those places that could pass you by if you didn't know it was there. It's a favorite for wedding pictures, but come sunset the place is empty, just like I wanted it to be.
The pavilion's terrace stretches out over the water and I'm captivated watching Libby get down low to take a shot of the lily pads through the columns of the building. She's beautiful and I have no doubt at all that she's going to make me happy for the rest of my days.
I clear my throat and wait patiently for her to look up before dropping down onto one knee.
Libby's eyes widen and she lets go of her camera, letting it dangle around her neck.
"Tony, what are you doing?"
I reach into my back pocket for the velvet ring box I've been carrying around with me and flip it open, showing her the princess cut diamond in the centre of the ring. She deserves so much more than just a jewel, it's a marriage I'm offering, and a lifetime after that with me by her side.
"I'm asking you to be my wife, Libby. There's no other woman in the world who makes me feel the way you do. I wanna be your husband and the father of your children. I wanna make a home with you, and give you everything that's mine. Because you deserve it...and I gotta let the world know."
Libby's hand covers her face and her eyes well with crystalline tears but I can tell she's smiling through them. "Oh, Tony. Everything I’ve ever wanted is to be right by your side."
"Then say yes."
She lets out a laugh like she can't believe it's that simple, but it is. When it comes to me and her it always will be. "Yes," she breathes, sniffing away her tears. "Yes, yes, yes!"
I get to my feet, pulling her in close to slip the ring onto her finger. Libby flings her arms around my shoulders, drawing me down to her level and I kiss her hard, with all the promise of all the kisses to come.
"Oh Tony, I love you." There's a rush of relief and triumph in her voice matched by the excitement that rushes through my veins and straight to my ever-eager cock, hearing her say that for the very first time.
"Libby, I love you. Always, and forever."
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
Libby
Dad's putting the finishing touches on our anniversary cake, doing the frosting and the final details. I can't believe it's been a year since I married Tony. Once we realized I was pregnant we decided
