Page 132 of Finlay

Shoving that thought aside, I rapped briefly on Chester’s front door before opening it. “M’eudail?”

A kaleidoscope of Christmas lights greeted me. They wound up the banister, surrounding the doorways, and were even on the plants Chester kept in the hallway.

“I’m in the kitchen,” Chester called out.

Grinning, I dropped my bag and rushed through to find him. “Oh my god, these lights are awesome, Chester! I love them. Did you?—”

The words died away as I stepped into the kitchen.Chester was hovering near the table, which had been set for two. It was fancier than anything we usually bothered with—napkins and the plates Chester had told me had been his gran’s. More twinkling lights covered every surface, but these provided an intimate air instead of a festive one.

“What’s all this?” I asked softly, pulling Chester in for a hug.

“I wanted to do something special for you,” he said, cupping my jaw and kissing my lips lightly. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.” My gaze fell on the magnificent centrepiece. “I love that you brought flowers home too.”

“Actually, they’re for you.”

“They are?”

Chester stepped back slightly and gave me a shaky smile. “They are. I realised that, despite having been given many bouquets, I hadn’t ever made one for you.”

“That’s very thoughtful of ye.” I reached out to touch a rose petal. “Will ye tell me what they mean?”

“I was hoping you’d ask that.” Chester moved closer to the bouquet and rested his hand on my biceps. He was trembling. Was something wrong?

He rushed to speak before I could ask if he was okay. “First we have the red chrysanthemums. They mean ‘I love you.’”

I put my arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. “I love you too, Chester.”

He didn’t look at me, instead raising a shaky finger to touch the next flower. “Next are the heliotropes. These and the dahlias signify eternal love.”

My breath caught in my chest. Was Chester saying what I thought he was saying?

“The baby’s breath means everlasting love, which Iguess is the same thing.” He gave a nervous chuckle. “The honeysuckle signifies bonds of love.”

The magnitude of what Chester was saying settled into my bones as my wolf tensed in anticipation. There was only one thing he’d yet to explain. “And the ferns?”

“Bonds of love too.” He turned to face me, and the hope and love in his eyes threatened to send me to my knees. “But also, magic.”

Magic.

“M’eudail,” I said, my voice thicker than usual. “Are ye asking me what I think you’re asking me?”

“I’m asking you to make me your mate. You make me happier than I ever thought possible. I love you, Finlay McCarthy. Make me yours.”

I didn’t realise I was crying until Chester reached up to brush my tears away. “I’m sorry.” I sniffed. “I wasn’t expecting to react like this.”

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “You gave your heart away once before to someone who wasn’t even aware of it. But I’m aware, baby. I’ll gladly take your heart and keep it safe for the rest of my days.”

“I love you,” I choked out. “And I’ll keep on loving you for centuries to come.”

I didn’t ask him if he was certain. I didn’t need to. There was nothing but pure love and steadfast determination in his eyes. My canines elongated, my wolf encouraging the partial shift. “This won’t hurt, m’eudail.”

Pushing back his collar, I revealed the skin at the juncture of his shoulder and neck. It was somewhere Chester could either expose or hide depending on the situation and how he was feeling. It’d give him options.

Options were the thing I wanted to give Chester the most. The freedom to be and do whatever made him happiest.Just as I’d given him the option of whether or not to become my mate.

He’d chosen me. He knew I’d make him happy.

---