Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Sixty - The Start of the Rest of Our Lives

Jade set the table and flicked her wrist, bringing the flowers to life in an empty vase. Everything would be perfect for this. Amorio crossed downstairs in a pressed buttoned-up shirt. Jade eyed him before continuing her work on the table, pretending not to notice.

"Oh, Jade, you didn't have to do all this," Amorio said, admiring her work.

"I wanted to!" She beamed. "It's not every day I get to share lunch with my Dad and Pa'."

"Pa?"

"I asked Craig to think of a name I could call him because Craig has become too informal for my liking." Amorio smiled at her. "Dad." His gaze steadied on her, "thank you for providing me with the life I needed to become who I am. I couldn't have asked for a better man to help me navigate this."

Amorio embraced her. She smiled, feeling the box against her waist. "My sweet daughter," he said, admiring her. He crossed into the kitchen, instantly gaining a reaction from Craig.

"Well, look at you," Craig beamed at Amorio. "Are we dressing up?" Craig whispered some sweet nothings that Jade couldn't hear. Her heart warmed at the happiness that flowed through this home. Unlike the rotting floorboards and cold winters of the farmhouse, this was indeed a home. Topaz's castle will always remain impressive, but in the end, sitting in front of a fireplace with nature surrounding her was the perfect life she envisioned.

Amorio helped Craig bring dinner to the table, and Jade filled the glasses with one of the wines from their cupboard. They all exchanged a smile before starting to eat, but Amorio's expression made her stomach fill with butterflies. Sweat dampened his forehead and one of his hands under the table, obviously fiddling with the box.

"This is delicious, Craig," Jade said, breaking the silence.

"Thank you, love," Craig replied.

"Um, Craig," Amorio said, gaining his attention. Craig's eyes widened as Amorio lowered himself to the ground on one knee. Amorio opened the box, presenting a beautiful golden band to Craig. "My life was empty until the two of you entered my life," Amorio glanced at Jade and smiled before looking back at Craig. "Every day I spend with you is the best day, my heart warms as I turn to see you every morning, and my mouth gapes when you lay beside me every night. We've been on an unspoken journey together for many years, but since we've finally embraced the love we shared for one another, my life has become full. With that, I have one question to ask you." Craig's tears fell on his face as his smile consumed him, Jade's own eyes betraying her. "Will you take this ring and start the rest of our lives with me as my husband?"

"Yes," Craig sniffed. "A thousand times yes, Amorio." They kissed, and Jade wiped her face. The happiness between them filled the room. They crossed to her and hugged her. "What a beautiful family I have."

"Our family was never whole with you, Pa," Jade said.

"I'm not sure Pa works too well," Craig said. They all laughed. "I know, honey, that you wanted a term of endearment for me, but I've always felt important when you called me Craig. It's less about what is said and more about how." Jade nodded. "Well, I guess we have a wedding to plan."

"I can help with the flowers," Jade said, resulting in a laugh.

***

The night couldn't have been any more magical. The way she watched Amorio and Craig fall more in love with each other was what she needed to reset her mind. Jade sat out front staring up at the stars, closing her eyes, embracing the wind in her hair and the sounds of crickets singing. Amorio pleaded with her before the Omega Ceremony to let Alex go, and now she understood it. He told her she deserved a love where they couldn't survive a day without her, a love like the one that started to bud inside her. Lately, Jade was too much in her head, letting Edge take up all of her attention. The same way she allowed Alex too for so many years, but now, they weren't the ones who crossed her mind.

"Jade?" Amorio called from the doorway. "We're going to head to bed, okay? Are you going to be alright out here?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "This has been what I needed. Tell Craig I also said goodnight."

"I will." He crossed over and placed a kiss atop her head. "I love you."

"I love you too, Dad."

Amorio shut the door behind him, and Jade returned her attention to the stars. Jade reached into her jacket, pulled out Emanuel's stationery, and started writing.

The One Stealing My Heart,

Amorio came down to rescue me from the thoughts that have taken over my mind lately, and what a night it's been. He proposed to Craig, leaving me to sit out here looking up at the stars. While out here, my mind only went to thoughts of you. I'm supposed to remain unbiased to give all the other prince's a shot to steal my heart, but I'm afraid you hold the key. I have never had anything like this where I wasn't waking up each day with someone at my side. The struggles of having you so far are there, but the comfort of knowing your mind is also on me brings great joy.

I found a magazine with our photos in it. I've not been able to put it down since. Once upon a time, I saw photos of Alex's eyes on me, the secret of the love he carried for me, but there was no hiding with you. You showed no fear in expressing your feelings to me as we looked at one another. I can't help but dream of another dance with you. Our eyes gaze at one another and feel like no one else exists.

The one falling for you,

Jade

Jade smiled as she sealed the envelope and placed it in their mailbox. Standing, she took one more look around, admiring how night fell on Solsper before crossing back inside to get some sleep.