CHAPTER 39: Plans for the future...

Celeste
After dinner, Randol and I go for a walk. He wants to try to shift, and I'm nervous. I know he did things this afternoon that no injured man ever could, but shifting is different. It rearranges organs and breaks bones. I don't want this to tear something open. If his internal injuries rupture I can't see it. That is terrifying.
"Listen, before we get into the woods, I want you to promise me something. If you have any pains in your stomach you have to tell me. I can see if something on the outside tears open, but I can't see if one of the organs I stitched back together ruptures."
"I will. I promise."
"I'm serious. If you rupture an organ and don't tell me because your trying to be macho you better hope it kills you. If it doesn't I'm going to fix it again and nurse you back to health just so I can kill you."
"I believe you one hundred percent. I swear, Celeste, I will absolutely tell you."
"Fine, but be careful." We reach the tree line and he sheds his clothes. At least I get to see the shift this time. I really am curious.
"This might look a little weird, so don't freak out."
"I should get used to it, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to warn you about the first time you see it."
"Fair enough." After shooting me a smile, Randol closes his eyes. A few seconds later, his bones start to contort and pop. Fur slides over his skin. His facial features elongate. It only takes about ten seconds for Kai to be in front of me. "Kai! I've missed you." His tongue hangs out, and a whine slips from his snout. I walk over, and just as I do with Randol, I hold his face and put my forehead to his. His tail wags and he nuzzles my neck. His fur is so soft and it tickles. I let out a giggle and Kai stands back up. The next minute, Randol stands before me. A huge smile on his face. "What's with that face?"
"You're cute when you interact with Kai."
"I think he likes me."
Through a knowing smirk he says, "Oh, he definitely likes you."
"So how do you feel, tough guy?"
"Better than I expected, actually."
"Good. I was really worried about you shifting too soon."
The smile on his face falls slightly, as he walks over to me now fully dressed. He takes both of my small hands in his large strong ones, and brings them to his chest.
"Celeste? You know that you are the most important thing in my life, right? That until my last breath, I will need you just like I need air?"
"Yes. What's wrong?"
"This is not how I thought this would happen one day. I wanted the perfect setting with a beautiful ring. One that was uniquely made for my mate."
"What are you talking about? You're not making any sense, I've seen Kai before. It's not like it's the first time."
"No, that's not what I'm talking about. Celeste, in shifter terms, we are already married. That's not enough, though. I want you to be my wife. Legally. I want the whole thing. I want a ceremony where your dad walks you down the aisle to me. I want to write vows to you. I want to have a first dance as husband and wife. Everything."
"Randol, I don't need all that. I know you love me."
"I do need it, though, Celeste. Please. Will you be my wife?"
I know I have to be smiling like an idiot right now, but I can't help it. "Of course, I'll marry you, Randol!" I stretch up and kiss what is now the huge smile on his face. He wraps his arms around me, and deepens our kiss. I reluctantly pull away. "Wait. We have to talk to my dad." Dread has just stabbed at my happiness.
"Well, I agree we should, but I already asked his permission. Before we went into town."
"Did you plan wha — "
"No, I did not plan for what happened at the lake house. I had no intention of claiming you anytime soon. You can just be so... persuasive. I knew from the moment I met you that you were my mate, and I wanted to marry you as soon as you would have me. Once I found out that you chose me, I wanted to talk to him as soon as I had a chance."
"Well, it's a little weird to me, because I'm not a shifter. This is crazy fast, but it's also incredibly romantic and sweet. I suppose with that in mind, I can forgive you for being a weirdo."
A low guttural laugh comes from his chest and he holds me to it tight. "Well, thanks, I guess."
"Well, you ready to go talk to our fathers?"
"Absolutely, let's go, beautiful." He takes my hand and leads me back to the house. It might be my imagination, but it looks like he's walking a little taller now. His chest puffed out just a little more. He looks proud of himself.
I'm proud too, though, so I get it. I have a man who loves me. A man who any woman would happily take off my hands at any moment, not that I would allow that. He's a real catch. Gorgeous. Smart. Successful. Most importantly though, kind, generous, and loyal. Now I can feel my own chest puff out just a little bit. I just won the freaking lottery with this delicious man. We both walk back to the house, smiling from ear to ear.