Chapter 8 - The Pink Suitcase
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Arizona sky in brilliant shades of violet, orange, and deep gold, Damon walked into the master bedroom suite.
The room had been completely redecorated—warm wooden furniture, soft linen drapes, and large glass doors that opened directly onto a private balcony overlooking the desert landscape.
Selena was standing near the walk-in closet, folding a pile of clean laundry.
Damon walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of lavender and warm skin that now defined his life.
"You worked too hard today," Damon murmured into her neck.
Selena smiled, leaning her head back against his shoulder, her hands resting over his on her waist. "I didn't work half as hard as your accountants did trying to explain to the federal auditors why a three-year-old is listed as a primary consultant on the foundation board."
Damon chuckled softly. "She earned the title. Her instincts are better than half my security team."
He turned her around in his arms, looking down at her face. The bruises from three months ago were entirely gone, replaced by healthy, radiant skin and eyes that no longer carried a trace of fear or exhaustion.
"I have something for you," Damon said, reaching into his trousers pocket and pulling out a small, velvet-lined box.
Selena froze, her breath catching in her throat. "Damon..."
Damon opened the box.
Inside rested a stunning ring—a flawless three-carat canary diamond set in simple, elegant platinum, catching the warm evening light.
"Damon, it's... it's too much," Selena whispered, tears instantly shining in her eyes.
"It isn't enough," Damon corrected softly, taking the ring from the box. "Six months ago, you walked into this house looking for a way to survive. Today, I am asking you to stay here and help me live."
He took her left hand, looking deeply into her eyes.
"Selena Castillo, will you marry me?"
Selena didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling his face down to hers, kissing him with a fierce, deep passion that made the rest of the world melt away.
"Yes," she whispered against his lips, tears spilling over her cheeks. "Yes, a thousand times yes."
Damon slid the ring onto her finger, pulling her tight against his chest, holding her as if she were the most precious treasure in the universe.
From the doorway of the bedroom, a tiny throat cleared loudly.
"Ahem."
Damon and Selena pulled back slightly, looking toward the door.
Ruby was standing in her nightgown, holding Bunny under one arm.
In her other hand, she was dragging the small pink suitcase across the hardwood floor, the plastic wheels making that familiar, clattering sound.
Damon crouched down, raising an eyebrow. "Ruby? Where are you going with that?"
Ruby dragged the suitcase into the center of the room, planted it beside Damon’s shoe, and looked up at him with supreme confidence.
"I packed my things," she announced.
Selena blinked, startled. "Ruby, sweetie, why did you pack your suitcase? We're not leaving."
Ruby looked at her mother like she was remarkably slow.
"I didn't pack to leave, Mommy," Ruby said, unzipping the front pocket of the pink suitcase and pulling out a small, crumpled piece of paper. "I packed my toys because we're moving into Mr. Damon's big room."
Damon let out a rich, deep laugh—a sound that echoed off the high ceilings of the estate, full of pure, unadulterated joy.
May you like
He reached down, scooping Ruby up in his left arm, and wrapped his right arm around Selena, pulling both of them into a tight, fierce embrace.
"You're right, Ruby," Damon whispered into her soft curls as the desert sun finally set over the mountains. "You don't ever have to leave again. This is your home now."
