Beautifully Angelic - Charity Parkerson Page 0,26

just thought. This was his home now because Ezra was inside. That was his life. His steps picked up at the thought. He finally had the dream life he had wanted with every fiber of his being. Declan wouldn’t take a second of it for granted.

He struggled a little with the back door while carrying two bags of food and drinks. After a minute, he managed. As he came through the door, Declan’s heart stopped. Through the kitchen, he could see Ezra in the living room. He was on his side on the living room floor, looking like he had landed there in an unnatural position. Flashbacks of Ezra almost dying had Declan dropping the bags and running.

He skidded to a stop and dropped to his knees, only to find Ezra blinking at him in surprise like he was insane. “Hey, gorgeous. You got back fast.”

“What are you doing on the floor? You scared the shit out of me.” Declan might have roared the words like a complete lunatic, but he couldn’t help it.

Ezra looked understandably confused by Declan screaming in his face. “I kicked back in the recliner, as you suggested, then your rotten dog came running in through the doggie door with a small animal of some kind in his mouth. When I screamed, he dropped it and it scurried under the couch. I locked him in the bathroom and was trying to figure out what it is and catch it.”

Declan nearly collapsed in his relief. He wasn’t sure if he would ever feel safe with Ezra being alone again. Declan dragged a deep breath in through his nose, trying to calm his racing heart. “So he’s my rotten dog now, huh? I thought he was ours.”

Ezra chuckled as he sat up. “He’s yours when he’s trying to eat small animals.”

Declan pushed to his feet. “Okay. Let’s see what it is. I’ll lift the couch. You get ready to catch it.” Ezra gave him a sharp nod. Declan lifted the couch. Ezra dove beneath.

“Awww. It’s a baby bunny, Declan.”

Declan dropped the couch when Ezra stood. He held a tiny brown ball of fluff against his chest. Declan eyed him. “He doesn’t look any worse for the wear. Hopefully, Icarus was only trying to make a friend and not actually eat him. I’ll get the back door and you can take him out.” He watched as Ezra carried the bunny to the backyard, leaving him as far as possible away from the door. When Ezra turned back Declan’s way, he was all smiles. Something in Declan’s chest swelled. He thought it might be pride and happiness mixing together to choke him. Declan’s hand automatically went to his pocket. When Ezra was almost to the door, Declan dropped to one knee.

Ezra’s steps faltered. “Are you okay?”

Declan held out the ring he had dug from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”

Ezra didn’t even look at the ring. He launched himself into Declan’s arms and wrapped himself around Declan’s body. He kissed every place he could reach, making Declan laugh. “Are you kidding me? Yes. You didn’t even have to ask.”

Declan couldn’t stop smiling at Ezra’s over-the-top reaction. “Of course I had to ask.” He pushed to his feet with Ezra clutched to his chest. “In truth, I actually had a much nicer proposal planned. I don’t know what happened just then. You were walking toward me, and I couldn’t wait a moment longer.” Declan settled on the couch with Ezra in his lap. He took Ezra’s hand and slipped the ring on his finger. It was a little loose, but he hoped Ezra would gain weight soon. Declan’s throat tightened at the sight of the diamond on Ezra’s finger. He started rambling to hide how moved he felt. “I stopped by that super fancy Italian restaurant you love and got your favorite dinner. I planned a nice dinner and thought about having candles, maybe followed by a bubble bath. Something crazy romantic. Sorry I didn’t make it longer.”

Ezra snuggled close. He stared at the ring. “Are you joking? This was perfect. There’s nothing more romantic to me than knowing you were so overcome that you dropped to one knee and asked me to marry you because you couldn’t stop it from happening. This is beautiful.”

Declan couldn’t stop staring at Ezra. “You’re beautiful.”

A blush tinted Ezra’s cheeks. A possessive roar sounded in Declan’s head. Ezra belonged to him. He always had, but soon it would be official. No one would be allowed