Chapter 8 - The Proposal under the Autumn Sky
Ten months later.
October brought a brilliant canopy of crimson, gold, and orange leaves to the trees surrounding the North Shore estate. The air was crisp, smelling of pine and woodsmoke.
In the backyard, nine-year-old Caleb was running around with a golden retriever puppy named "Barnaby"—a gift from Roman for his ninth birthday last month.
On the grand terrace, a long wooden table was set for a private dinner, decorated with white candles, autumn flowers, and crystal glasses.
Lily stepped out onto the terrace wearing an elegant emerald-green silk dress that complemented her striking green eyes. Her dark hair was styled in soft waves over her shoulders.
Roman was waiting for her near the stone balustrade, looking impossibly handsome in a tailored dark gray suit.
“You look breathtaking, Lily,” Roman said, stepping forward to take her hand and kissing her knuckles.
“Thank you,” she blushed, looking around at the romantic setting. “What’s all this for? Is there a special occasion?”
“Every day with you is a special occasion,” Roman said softly, guiding her to her chair.
They enjoyed a quiet, intimate dinner prepared by the estate chef, talking and laughing as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the Chicago sky in shades of violet and pink.
After dinner, Caleb ran up to the terrace, holding a small wooden box wrapped in a gold ribbon.
“Here, Roman!” Caleb said excitedly, handing the box to Roman before turning to his mother with a huge, mischievous grin. “I helped him pick it out, Mommy!”
Lily looked between her son and Roman, her heart beginning to beat rapidly against her ribs.
Roman took a slow, deep breath. He looked down at Caleb, nodding subtly.
Then, the former mob boss dropped down onto one knee in front of Lily’s chair.
Lily covered her mouth with both hands, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.
“Lily,” Roman began, his deep voice filled with a raw, powerful emotion that made his hands shake slightly. “Ten months ago, a brave little boy walked through a freezing storm to knock on my gate. I thought my life was over. I thought I was doomed to live in the shadows forever, consumed by grief and coldness.”
He looked up into her radiant face.
“But when you and Caleb walked into my world, you brought light back into this house. You healed the broken parts of my heart that I thought were lost forever. You made me want to be a better man, a better father, and a protector worthy of your love.”
Roman opened the wooden box.
Inside sat a breathtaking, three-carat oval-cut diamond ring, set on a platinum band embedded with tiny emeralds.
“Lily Morgan,” Roman said, his gray eyes shining with fierce, eternal devotion. “Will you do me the absolute honor of marrying me? Will you let me love you, protect you, and cherish you for the rest of my days?”
Lily sobbed happily, nodding her head vigorously.
“Yes! Oh, Roman, yes!” she cried out.
Roman stood up, slipping the ring onto her finger, and pulled her into his arms. He lifted her slightly off her feet and kissed her deeply, passionately, as the evening wind rustled the golden leaves around them.
Caleb jumped up and down, clapping his hands wildly, while Barnaby the puppy barked happily around their feet.
“Does this mean Roman is officially my dad now?” Caleb asked eagerly, tugging on Roman’s coat sleeve.
Roman set Lily down, turning to kneel in front of the young boy. He reached out and gently rested his hands on Caleb’s shoulders.
“I would be honored to be your dad, Caleb,” Roman said softly. “If you’ll have me.”
Caleb threw his arms around Roman’s neck, hugging him tightly. “I picked you first, remember? I picked you at the gate!”
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Roman wrapped his arms around the boy, pressing his face into Caleb’s hair, tears of profound gratitude spilling down his cheeks.
“Yes, you did, buddy,” Roman whispered. “You picked me.”
