Page 93 of Treachery in the Highlands
"Aye."She surveys the area, moving her head left and right."It's the waterfall where the Ashrays live."
"And it where they imbued us with a sliver of their magics, giving us incredible sex."
Rachel blushes, the warmth spreading across her cheeks.
I wink.
"Joey!"she hisses, but there's no real indignation in her voice."The Ashrays didnae give us 'incredible sex.'They merely...enhanced our connection."
"Enhanced.That's one way to put it."I wiggle my eyebrows at her, and she rolls her eyes, but I catch the smile she's trying to hide.
We settle on a flat rock overlooking the waterfall, its constant rush drowning out the rest of the world.Mist rises from where the water crashes against the stones below, creating a fine veil that catches rainbows in the afternoon sun.It feels like our own private sanctuary, this little corner of the Highlands where magic hums just beneath the surface.
"So," I say, trying to sound casual while my heart hammers against my ribs."You're pregnant.Right?"
Rachel's hand instinctively shifts down to her still-flat stomach."I reckon I am."Her voice is hushed, almost reverent."The aunts would never lie about such things."
"Are you...okay with that?"I ask, suddenly uncertain.We've fought mafia hitmen and evil witches together, but somehow this conversation feels scarier than both combined.
She laughs, the sound mingling with the waterfall's rush."Am I content to carry the child of the man I love with all my heart and soul?The man who crossed time itself to save the MacTaggart witches' sacred book?"Her eyes meet mine, blue as the Highland sky."Aye, Joey Finnegan.I'm more than 'okay' with it."
The relief that floods through me is so intense I almost feel dizzy.I grab her hand, threading our fingers together like I'm afraid she might float away if I don't anchor her to me."Well, I guess your dad was right about one thing.We should get married."
I tried for a casual tone, but my voice cracked embarrassingly on the last word.
Rachel tilts her head, the sunlight glistening on her hair."Is that your idea of a proposal, Joey Finnegan?"
"What?No.I mean---" I stop, take a breath, and realize I'm messing this up spectacularly.Now for take two..."I had plans, you know.Before all the time-hopping and mafia-dodging.I was going to do this right."
The love in her eyes gives me a pang in my chest."And what would 'right' entail?"
I gesture vaguely at our surroundings."Not sitting on a rock after just finding out I'm going to be a father, for starters."I run my hand through my hair, feeling every bit the out-of-place modern guy I am."Maybe dinner somewhere nice.That's what I would've said before I met you.Now...All I can say is this.I love you with all my heart and soul, and I'll go on loving you even after we've both shuffled off that old mortal coil.We'll be together for eternity."
She sniffles, wiping at her eyes."Oh, Joey---"
"Not done yet."I dig an item out of my hip pocket and hold it out to her, lifting the lid from the tiny box.I tilt it toward her, so she can see the diamond ring."Will you marry me, Rachel MacTaggart, good witch of the Highlands?"
Rachel's eyes widen, shimmering with unshed tears as she stares at the ring."Joey, where did you...how did you...?"
I wince and scratch the back of my neck."Well, I didn't have the dough to buy the kind of ring you deserve.While I was pinching that book for you at the Met, I kinda...stole a ring for you too."
Her eyes flare so wide they seem like they might pop out of their sockets."You stole it?From the museum?"
"That ring was just sitting there in an unassuming case that nobody looked at, I'm sure.The plaque described it as 'unknown diamond ring, possibly circa 1600s, 1.50 ct., silver.'"I shrug."Why let that poor little thing get dustier?It belongs on your finger, baby."
She stares at me, wide-eyed, not blinking.
My shoulders sag."You hate it, don't you?I shouldn't have snatched the ring, I know.But you deserve the best of everything."
Rachel bursts into a fit of laughter.When she finally stops guffawing, she wipes her eyes."Joey,mo chridhe, you are the sweetest thief.How could I reject the ring you stole for me?It's beautiful.Let me try it on."
I offer her the ring and wait with bated breath to see if the thing fits her finger.
She slips the ring on---and it fits perfectly, as if it had been waiting in that museum for me to find it and take it back to the past for Rachel.
The love of my life flings her entire body at me, smacking kisses all over my face.
Rachel is thrilled with the diamond ring.But how will Big Daddy Kieran feel about that?
