Soldier Mine (Sons of War #2)(62)

“Then we definitely have something good going on here.” He lifts me and carries me to the bed. Petr climbs in with me and cuddles close, my chest pressed to his and his arms holding me tightly. “Get some rest, Claudia,” he murmurs. “We’ve got our own story to tell Baba in the morning.”

His embrace, scent and body calm me. My crying subsides quickly, and exhaustion sweeps through me, replacing the adrenaline. “About how you proposed during a hostage situation?” I ask and close my eyes.

“Yep. It’s called upholding the family tradition.” He laughs once more.

I’m not sure whether or not he’s joking, but I really hope he’s not. I may not know what I want to be when I grow up, but I know I want to be with him.

Nightmare. Fairytale. Nightmare. Fairytale.

This time, the fairytale never has to end.





Epilogue


“Hey, gorgeous.”

I meet Petr’s intent gaze, warmth bubbling, before glancing down to refill his mug. The past month has been a whirlwind of emotion and change. Todd and I made the big decision to move in with Petr. While I’m not ready to give up my day job, I’ve been debating accepting a part-time position doing graphics for his father’s multiple foundations. I could work for him half the day and then return to school, too.

I pour him more coffee and then sit down across from him. He still visits me every day at the diner. Petr takes my hands in his, the tenderness of his gaze rendering me speechless, giddy and borderline tearful, every time he looks at me like this.

I’m living a dream. Todd is as ecstatic as I am.

“I gave it some thought,” I say somewhat breathlessly. “Christmas Eve.”

“Baba will love that.” Petr chuckles.

“Do you?”

“Absolutely. Gives us time to plan.” His eyes glow. “Honeymoon?”

“You choose. I’ve never really been anywhere.”

“Somewhere warm, I take it. Your mom says Florida.”

“No, not Florida.” I laugh. I’ve laughed and smiled more the past month than I did the first twenty-five years of my life, and it’s all because of the man before me. While he hasn’t yet met my mom, he’s talked to her a few times already. I call her daily now that I can.

“Baba showed me his secret project.” Petr’s voice grows hushed.

“He wasn’t supposed to show you yet.” I squeeze his hands. Upon learning the intent behind the project Anton gave me, I’ve spent the past few weeks perfecting it, despite the fact Baba loved the first version just fine. The collages of the three siblings together are being printed and framed for Petr and Katya on the two-year anniversary of their brother’s death, which is next month.

“You’re amazing,” he murmurs and kisses the back of my hands. “It’s perfect.”

His words make my heart sing.

“I’ve got a surprise for you, too.” His eyes twinkle with mischief and desire.

“What?”

“You’ll see tonight.”

“Petr!” I look at the time. It’s barely ten in the morning. “That’s forever away.”

“Want a hint?”

I nod.

“The ring’s in from resizing.”

I hold my breath. Picking a wedding date is one thing. It seems so … intangible.

But the ring … once I learned its history, I stressed that Petr might change his mind or I might not be good enough for it and his family.

“Are you … ah …” Yeah, there’s no right way to ask a man if he’s going to propose, especially when I know how much this means not only to him, but his family and mine.

Too flustered to think, I simply stare at him.

“Claudia!” Eileen calls from the counter.

I blink, recalling where I am, and glance at her. She nods towards Henry with her head. His cup is empty.

Petr smiles. “Go on.”

“Ugh!” I mutter. The only thing worse than being away from him is knowing he’s in the room with me and I can’t touch him or snuggle. “You aren’t going to tell me if you have … plans tonight?”

He winks and sips his coffee.

“You are in so much trouble!” I hiss and then move to take care of Henry. I refill the older man’s coffee with haste.

Setting the coffee on its burner, I start to turn to confront Petr again when I feel his strong, warm body behind me. He wraps an arm around me and pulls me into him, nuzzling my neck.

Touching him is bliss. I sigh and rest my head against his shoulder. I melt the moment I feel his strength.

“We have plans tonight,” he whispers. “Probably a good thing tomorrow’s your day off, too. I plan on locking the door and staying in bed with you all day.”

A delicious little shiver slides through me. “And … Monday’s a holiday, too,” I whisper in return.

“Perfect. You sure you’re ready for the next step?”

“Yes, Petr.”

“Good. Baba’s going to ask about the job again today.”

I smile. With my nerves fluttering, I take a deep breath. “And I’ll tell him yes,” I murmur. “I already told the boss I’ll be leaving in February.”