The feel of her warm body against my side was unmistakable. One of her arms draped across my chest, and her hand framed one side of my face. She pressed her forehead to the side of my face, and her other hand was interlaced with my right hand. Everywhere seemed unusually quiet, compared to the chaos before and I realized I must have fallen asleep. There was a slight ache in my chest, but the pain was bearable compared to before. A half-filled intravenous (IV) drip hung from the bed pole, and the most prominent sound in the room was Adele's soft breathing. My fingers involuntarily clenched against hers, and I watched as she raised her head to give me a searching gaze.
"My love," she called. My heart constricted; it was almost physical. "Are you okay? Do you want something?" she asked in an anxious tone. I swallowed, my throat feeling parched.
"Water," I rasped. She quickly got off the bed and returned with a bottle of water. She carefully raised my head, making me drink. "Thanks," I said in a low, husky tone. "Where's everybody?" I asked.
"Outside, cleaning up the mess. Mark is right outside the door, on a lookout," she said. I smiled, held her gaze, and reached for her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner about Mark," I said.
"I understand you didn't want to give me hope," she replied, misconstruing what I meant, but I let it slide.
"I'm glad you have him back," I said. She nodded, and tears filled her eyes.
"The lady doctor; Eliza, is Mark's fiancee," she said with a bright smile. I chuckled lightly, loving that she was happy.
"That's great news, Love. I wish them the best. How are you feeling, and how is the baby?"
"I am fine. Our baby is fine, especially now that you seem well," she replied, raising our clasped hands to press a kiss to my knuckles.
"That's good to know. Adele?"
"Yes?"
"That suit hung in that corner," I gestured to the jacket I had worn when we first got to the cabin. She took a quick glance in that direction and looked back at me with furrowed brows. "There's a box in the inner pocket, could you please get it for me?"
"Of course," she said and hurried away. I watched as she dipped her hand into the inner pocket of the suit and brought out a red velvet box. She paused and slowly looked in my direction. Her lips trembled with emotion as she gingerly opened the box, revealing an absolutely stunning diamond ring. The centerpiece was a large, sparkling diamond, flawlessly cut and set in a platinum band. Surrounding the center stone were smaller diamonds, creating an exquisite and intricate design.
"I have had that with me for a while… I couldn't dare ask you to marry me. But now, lying on this bed, I have to, even if you say no…" I explained, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Ask me…" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. My heart soared with hope.
"Adele…" I rasped, my voice filled with emotion.
"Ask me, baby…" she urged in a tender and emotional tone. I tried to get up, but she rushed forward to stop me. "Don't do that. You need to rest," she said gently, placing a hand over my bandaged chest. I nodded, peering into her eyes, letting her see the depth of my emotions for her. For the first time, there was no need to hide anything. I placed a hand over her stomach, and the gesture made more tears well up in her eyes.
"I want more babies with you. I want to wake up every day knowing you are mine, by my side; the mother of my children; my wife. If you want the same thing, I would like for you to please marry me, take my name, and be my partner for a lifetime. You can't leave me, Adele. I don't think I will ever let you go. So before you give me an answer—"
"Yes. I agree to be your partner… your life partner," she replied, interrupting me with a radiant smile.
I wanted to say something more, to express the overwhelming joy in my heart, but I couldn't bring myself to form words. My throat felt clogged with emotions I couldn't describe. Adele was going to be my wife. But it seemed I didn't need words because she saw it clearly in my eyes – how overwhelmed I was with joyous emotions.
She pressed a tender kiss to my lips and whispered, "I desire an eternity by your side, too, Archer."
"My heart beats for you, Adele until it stops, it will always do," I managed to whisper.
"Oh, Archer," she whispered, giving me a searing kiss, sealing our commitment to each other. I could feel her tears against my face.