Page 177 of Arturo's Temptation

“You’re adamant it’s a she, huh?”

“Just a feelin’. But honestly, I don’t care if it's a boy or a girl. As long as they’re healthy, that’s all I give a shit about.” At this he let out a deep breath, his brow furrowing. He seemed… nervous.

But Arturo never got nervous.

“My love,” he started, dropping to one knee.Oh my god.I placed a hand over my mouth as he took the other. “You cameinto my world when I needed you most, banishin’ the darkness and fillin’ it with warmth, love, and life. You have consumed me, mind, body and soul, and I know no one will ever get me the way you do.” His throat bobbed as he reached into his pocket. “I know it ain’t been easy and we’ve dealt with a lot so far, but I promise you, I’ll spend the rest of my life ensurin’ your happiness and keepin’ our family safe.” Tears stung my eyes as they pricked his own. “Isabella Ricci, you rock my world. You are the reason I open my eyes every mornin’. The reason I take my next breath. You’re the reason I learned how to smile again. You are everythin’ that is good in my life.”

“Arturo—” A sob hitched in my throat, making it unable for me to say anything else.

“I fall in love with you more with each passin’ day and will love you until my last breath.” He smiled, my heart swelling with more love than I ever thought possible. “So, Miss Ricci, will you do me the fuckin’ biggest honour,” he beamed, “and make me the happiest man on earth by becomin’ my wife?” I glanced down at his hand to see he’d set a ring in a neat pile of snow in the middle of his palm. I gasped at the oval diamond shining brightly beneath the lights above. It was timeless and so beautiful.

“Yes.” I said through the tears. “Nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife.” I couldn’t contain the happiness I felt as he slid the ice cold band on my finger.

“Perfect,” he jumped to his feet, pulling me into his embrace. “You see, you were made for me.” His lips claimed mine, his tongue lashing my own as we lost ourselves in one another. “I love you,hermosa,” he breathed against my parted lips.

“I love you, too.”

“Oh, and before you ask, I already asked your father… He gave his blessin’ as did your grandfather.”

“Wait… you seriously asked him?” I couldn’t hide the shock in my voice.

“Look, I ain’t the most traditional of people, but I know havin’ their blessing means the world to you.” He took my hands in his, bringing them to his lips. “Now, let’s get back to the cabin. I’m thinkin’ we can recreate the movie night at the apartment.”

“Uhhh… But we don’t have pizza from Charlies.” Since being pregnant I’d had a few cravings, but nothing beat the pepperoni pizza from that little place in the city.

“You sure about that?” He smirked.

“Why do I get the feeling you’ve planned something?” I questioned, arching my brow.

“I may have asked Charlie for a favour. Had them stored on the plane. All I have to do is shove them in the pizza oven your grandfather had built especially for this weekend.”

“You did that for me?” And just like that, the flood gates opened and I couldn’t fight back the tears any longer.

“I’d do anythin’ for you, my love,” he whispered, pulling my hand up to kiss the ring he’d placed on my finger.

My heart…

“The ring looks perfect on you,”he smiled, reaching for my hand across the table the following morning. “It was my mum’s, you know.”

“Really?” I gasped.

“Yeah, held onto it since the day she died. Never thought I’d have any reason for it until I met you.”

“But doesn’t she want to keep it?”

“Nah. She gave me her blessin’ to give you it. She wants us to be happy.”

“Well then, I guess it’s a good thing that I have the perfect wedding gift for you.” I grinned.

“You better be jokin’ woman. I don’t want no bloody wedding presents. Marryin’ you is enough.”

“I don’t give a shit what you want, London Boy. You’re getting a present and that is that.” I winked.

“Stubborn girl…”

“Oh, my darling fiancé, you have no idea.” I squeezed his hand, the rings he always wore clashing against the newest addition on my hand. “So, what are we doing today?” I asked.

“Well, I know you can’t exactly ski and that sucks, but I had another idea to have some fun.” His lips split into a smile.

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