A Million Kisses (Wish 1)

31 - Doctor Princess

Three years later...

Aidan woke to her arm lying across his chest and her face buried in his armpit. He often wondered if she'd ever adapt and stop taking up most of the bed. He turned on his side taking her with him. Spooning her, he said, "Princess, I have an issue."

"I feel your issue." She wiggled her bottom to press against him.

"Now, I have two. Can I still call you princess or do I need to call you doctor?"

Giggling, she continued to entice him with her bottom, not that he was complaining. "I might prefer Doctor Princess."

"Would you?" He growled as he climbed on top of her pushing her into the mattress. He kissed her full of desire.

Her hands were under his shirt on his back and he wondered how quickly he could have her. He always feared Bea would knock on the door when they were in Weston.

Sage said, "I think that was a million."

He laughed. She had kept count of their kisses into the twenties until he distracted her with so many kisses she lost count.

"How can you be sure?"

"It felt magical."

"I had a different magic in mind."

"Please!"

When the alarm went off, they ignored it. Aidan took his time, but as soon as they finished, she jumped up excitedly. She was beautiful all the time, but she glowed when she was happy. The day before, she had received her doctorate during the university's graduation ceremony. Her parents sat proudly next to him. Bea was throwing a small party for her later in the evening.

Sage didn't want a fuss. His family was coming including Rachel. Marissa and Jed couldn't come, because they were on their honeymoon. Even Teddy and Elaine had sent regrets, because their son was sick. Aidan's sisters weren't bringing dates which pleased him. Brenna especially had been partial to dating jerks. Would he think any guy was good enough for his sisters?

Aidan was so proud of his Doctor Princess. A year before, Dr. Brownstein had offered her a teaching assistant position in the history department. Aidan loved how it allowed her to leave the museum. Call him territorial, but he hated her going to work each day to see her former lover, even after he had officially made his move to the fourteenth floor, and she had woken next to him. With Sage at the university, he wasn't out of their lives completely. Sage and Ginny had developed an odd friendship. It was safe to say the two couples would never go out socially.

In the fall, she would start teaching as a history professor. She hadn't planned to teach, but she loved it. Aidan just liked her to be happy.

When they entered the breakfast room, Bea kissed Aidan's cheek and began babbling about party preparations. It didn't concern him, because his family had been guests of the Petersen's before. On their frequent visits from New York, he had met Sage's family friends. Each one was just as rich or even richer.

Sage went to work arranging flowers and Aidan was at Bea's beck and call. When he returned to their room and heard the shower, he was tempted to join her, but knew she would tell him they didn't have enough time. He rested knowing he'd take half the time to get ready

An hour and a half later, she wore a sophisticated dress she called champagne and he a suit. Everything was ready downstairs. Doors were opened to the large patio. He pulled Sage out into the warm spring air.

He remembered the first time she showed him her mother's garden. He listened to her stories about her childhood. She and the neighborhood children played games in the labyrinth of garden paths. Her face was animated, and he knew for certain he loved her. He had made a wish in the fountain for Sage to be his forever.

"Walk with me."

Hand in hand, they walked into the garden. When they reached the fountain, she said, "I didn't bring a coin."

"I already made a wish and I'm wondering if it came true."

She smiled, probably because he was always up to something. "I'll bite, what did you wish for?"

He reached into his pocket. The velvet box was soft under his nervous fingers. "I wished that you would be mine forever." He pulled out the box and flipped the lid. Sinking to one knee, he asked, "Would you, Doctor Princess Sage Petersen, marry me and be mine forever."

Her hands went to her mouth. Her eyes had tears. He would have hell to pay for ruining her makeup. "Yes, yes!"

She jumped up and down. He stopped her by capturing her in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too, my not fake boyfriend, fiance, future husband." Sage replied, but instead of looking into his green eyes, she was gazing at the gorgeous ring. She knew Aidan made a lot more than she did, but she didn't know how he could afford the large diamond.

"We need to go tell my parents!" Grabbing his hand she began pulling him through the garden.

It wouldn't surprise them. Sage had thought he might propose when they vacationed in Saint Thomas in March. She hadn't expected him to pop the question on the day of her party. Leave it to Aidan to wait until she finished her doctorate. He had always supported her pursuits.

They had talked about the future and marriage and eventually children. Neither were in a hurry. Children were for sometime in their thirties. Although her mother wouldn't agree, she was not in a hurry for the wedding hoopla. Could William Petersen's daughter get away with eloping? Bea Petersen would kill her.

"Mom, Mom!" Bea rushed out of the kitchen. "Look!"

"It's about time! The boy has had that ring for months."

"You knew?" It shocked Sage.

"Of course, I knew. I flew to New York and helped him shop."

Sage looked from her mother to Aidan. "Really?"

He nodded. "Princess, I wanted to do everything right."

Sage smiled. "Doctor Princess Fiancé."

Aidan laughed and Bea said, "You can announce it to your family tonight."

Sage was getting two sisters. "Mia and Brenna will be so excited."

"My mother will be happy."

Aidan put his arms around her and said, "One million and ten." He kissed her, and she'd have his kisses forever long after they lost count again.

One more chapter, before the bonus material...

Thank you for reading the first book of The Wish Series. The first three stories feature the three Reilly siblings. Next is Brenna and then Mia, each with appearances from Aidan and Sage.

Scroll for a preview of A Million Tears and a special BONUS...