Derrick laughed. “We are the most dangerous creatures out at night. The sharks fear us.”
Anna shrugged. “I’ll still miss the sun.”
“As do we all, but you’ll find beauty in the moonlight. Think of it as trading up.”
Anna swung her legs onto the floor and sat looking towards the window. The heavy drapes blocked any light but she somehow knew that the sun’s rays warmed the panes of glass. With her back towards Derrick, she asked, “How long before dusk?”
“Are you anxious to go to the beach already?”
“No. I wanted to visit Susie and Sofie at the hospital and take them some flowers or something. It’s my fault they were both drawn into this mess.”
“Let’s get something straight,” Derrick sat up and turned Anna around to face him. “None of this is your fault. Both Patrick and Torke were power-hungry madmen who wanted to exploit you for their own advantage. It’s regrettable that your friends were hurt in the process but I doubt either one would hold you responsible.”
“I’d still like to take them something.”
“We have already sent them each a dozen red roses.” He smiled at her shocked expression. “I arranged it this morning with my florist. We can pick up something nice for them from the jewelers on the way if you like. David assures me that diamonds have a way of making a woman’s day.”
“I wouldn’t know.” She laughed. “I only ever had one and I sold that to help my Dad with the cost of my non-wedding to Patrick.”
“I had a feeling you would say that.” Derrick reached under his pillow and produced a small blue box. “I know this may be a bit soon and you literally have an eternity to make up your mind but—”
Anna opened the box and stared at the ring. The oval cut diamond was as big as a pebble and even the golden band was encrusted with tiny stones. She drew her free hand to her mouth, looked from the ring to Derrick and started to cry.
“If it’s too soon—”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m crying because I never would have believed I could be so happy, especially now that I am dead.”
“Undead.”
“Whatever.” She faked a frown and continued. “I only wish that my dad could have been alive to see us together.”
“I’m not sure he would have approved.”
“You may have been his partner but you didn’t know him as well as I did. I’m his only child, he would have been happy to see me happy.”
“You don’t know how relieved I am to hear that.” Derrick pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “So, does that mean the answer is yes?”
She nodded.
“I need you to say, I love you, Derrick Corel, and I want to spend eternity as your wife. Yes! I will marry you.’”
Anna crinkled her nose. “Is that some type of vampire custom, like needing to be invited before you can enter human homes?”
“No.” Derrick laughed so hard he fell back on the bed, dragging Anna down with him. “I just want to hear you say it.”
Anna slapped his chest and tried to look annoyed until Derrick added.
“I’ve been dreaming of this day since I first met you. I’ve envisioned proposing to you and hearing you say the words that mean you love me as much as I love you.” His expression was that of complete honesty and Anna felt the ice that Patrick had shot into her heart melt away. She knew now, that she belonged to Derrick and he belonged to her.
She held his face in the palms of her hands as gently as she held his heart when she spoke the words she knew he had longed to hear.
“I love you, Derrick Corel and I want to spend eternity as your wife. Yes. I will marry you.”
The End
www.annieharlandcreek.com
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Kiss of Death (Blood Brothers Book 1) Page 22