Her Greatest Treasure

Chapter 9:

Christian and I settle into our pajamas before building a fire outside of his shack. He had marshmallows that were probably five years old in his cabinet, but we're using them to make s'mores together.

"I like being here with you," he whispers as he cuddles into me and wraps a blanket around us.

"I like being here with you, too."

"Wanna know what I'm thinking about?"

"Hmm?"

"You gave me a life or death experience kiss in the hospital, even though you said you would never do that."

I roll my eyes at him. "That's what you're thinking about?"

"Yep. I thought it was cute."

"I hate you."

"Sure you do," he chuckles as he wraps his arms around my neck and briskly kisses my lips. I deepen the kiss and he softly groans. This boy drives me insane.

"Let's get married," he quickly says in between a kiss.

"What?" I giggle.

"A few days ago I almost died, Avalon. Died. Let's be spontaneous and just get married."

"It does sound fun..."

"Avalon Grey, will you marry me?" he whispers.

"Of course I will," I whisper back.

"Then by the power vested in me, by the sun and the earth and the sea and the stars, I now pronounce us husband and wife."

"You may now kiss your bride," I giggle as he kisses me.

"What about rings?"

"What about them?"

"I have an idea. Come with me." He grabs my hand and leads me into his house where he opens a drawer in his bureau. "I want you to have this," he tells me as I look down at the tiny ring in his hand. It's a thin diamond band.

"Where did you get this?" I ask breathlessly.

"It was my mother's. Something my Dad got her. It's not their wedding band or anything, but more of a promise ring."

"It's absolutely perfect, but I can't accept it."

"I want you to have it. Please." The way I can see the tears forming in his eyes and hear him pleading for me to have it breaks me.

"Thank you," I whisper as he slips the band onto my finger. Perfect fit.

"And for me... this old rubber ring I used to wear when I surfed will do." He slides a thick, black rubber sports ring onto his finger.

"I love you," I say between tearful kisses.

"I love you more."

...

The next morning I awake tangled in Christian. You know what most just married couples do the night of the wedding? Well yeah... we did that. And of course it was like the most gentle and romantic thing I've ever experienced in my life.

"Hey there sleeping beauty," I say as Christian stirs awake.

"Good morning, beauty."

"Ready for another adventure today?"

"Five more minutes," he groans as he pulls me back down to bed. "Now that you're my wife you can't reject me. You married this ass," he jokes.

"Fine. Five minutes. Down to four now. Times a ticking!"