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“I just would like you to be there when I do this.” Louvel was starting to notice the condition of her room and shook his head. It was Birdee. As chaotic as she could be it was still perfectly sensible when it came to her. The small bulk of the velvet box restricted the fabric of his pocket that held it. Now if he could resist the urge to tell her before he got her to where Alaric and Leonie were waiting. “No vital organs needed... yet. It is right up there with watching me walking a tight rope for the first time. Up high and no safety net below.” He winked as he stepped back and made his way back down the hall. Yet. Depending on how Alaric took the news that could ...

No, even in unforseen disapproval Alaric was not a physical threat. Louvel figured his disapproval would be far more to deal with than any kick in the *** he could deliver. Positive or negative he was confident it wouldn't require organ donors. Alaric before everything else was a man who could appreciate commitment. Lou knew the nerves were to be expected and had nothing to do with what could happen.“No fuss on what you are wearing. Just try and make it quick because Alaric and Leonie are outside waiting for us.”

Lou left Birdee to finish up with whatever it would take to be ready to head out. His steps echoed in his head but they did little to ease the rise of nerves. He wasn’t concerned that in the span of hours Leonie had changed her mind. It was the reaction from Alaric that he considered less predictable. Birdee could be a wild card as well but chances were she would be down for the engagement. It meant parties and celebrating. Birdee was a confirmed master of both.

“You good to go?” He called out after his what had to be, in the very least, his fifth round of slowly pacing the minimal interior space of the cottage. He was getting no where closer to where they needed to be. “It shouldn’t take long."

As soon as Birdee appeared he felt a sense of calm wash over him. Was that the shared blood between them at work? Could Otto be given credit for something positive outside what he did a couple decades back between the sheets? He shrugged off the lack of answers coming to his own head and followed her to the front door where she appeared to be heading. The sounds of his uncomfortable shoes connecting to the flooring trailed him and ultimately followed him out the front door behind the woman taking lead.

“How are you with planning parties?”

He figured Leonie would have every reason to have one of those deals where all her friends gathered and took her out for a night that really wouldn’t be her last evening of freedom. Leonie was never meant to be tame and he viewed any expectation that she would be was one that was sorely misplaced. The Lioness would never be given reason to do so. He certainly didn’t plan on sinking into a recliner and watching the world spin around him. Life was to be lived. No matter what would come it was only just the beginning. Louvel’s pace picked up and soon he was within reach of Birdee. He hooked his arm around her waist and growled as he hoisted her up and over to rest on his shoulder.

“Caught ya!” He started a slow jog towards the two that were waiting for them.“We can’t keep them waiting.” With the strength of his legs increasing speed soon they arrived right where he had left alaric and Leonie not long before. He set down Birdee with a wink and ran a relaxed hand through the top of his golden hair. “Now we are pretty much set. Should we invite anyone else?” Louvel set his eyes on Leonie for input. “The night is young and this will only happen once.” His hand came to rest at the back of his neck. “That I plan on.”

“Actually if you don’t mind I think this part is something that needs to be done before we start summoning others, blowing up balloons or popping corks.” Lou was temporarily distracted by Birdee’s obvious enthusiasm at having a reason to party. Once she was privy as to the reason for celebrating she may shift gears and be less likely to sneak a call to the local and trustworthy dealer that she had on speed dial. “Yeah, a celebration is in order once I do this right.”

Louvel wasn’t exactly sure how to start since he really had never done this before. Well, actually he had but Martin was entirely different. They eyed rings while on vacation. No date was ever picked and really it was the end instead of any hope for a beginning. As for formalities, there were none to be had. He didn’t have an interest in asking his parents for permission to marry the guy out of some solid sense of respect to either one. He didn’t really like them or their judgements so it all worked out fine in the end. His mossy orbs shifted to Leonie and a smile warmed his expression.

“I have something I wanted to ask of you, Alaric.” Lou’s hand reached for Leonie’s while the arm closest to her went around and shaped the form of her lower back. He looked down at her hand in his and thumbed the surface of her bare ring finger. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the surface. “I know it will not be entirely a surprise but I…” He looked to Leonie then to Birdee and finally back to Alaric. “We... wish to have your blessing.” His hand left her waist and disappeared into his pocket to retrieve a box he had been holding onto long enough that he thought he would never get to open it in front of anyone else. “I asked Leonie to marry me.” The sparkling ring was revealed as the lid popped up with the gentle nudging of his thumb. He smiled wide. “She said yes.”

Louvel held contact with Leonie and yet somehow managed to pull the ring from the velvet bed that held it safe until the moment had arrived. Cradling her left hand in his for support he ditched the box back in his pocket. Once his hand was free he pinched the ring purposefully between his two fingers and slid it gently over the length of her finger until it was nice and snug in place.

“We wish to have your blessing.” His eyes moved slowly with anticipation between his fiancee, his sister and his patriarch. “It means so much to have it. And before you answer I assure you with all that I am I will take care of her, honor her, protect her and love her beyond my dying breath with all that I am now and will be in the future. You have my word.”

There was no reason to be nervous. He had been admittedly on and off the days and nights leading up to the one taking place. But then and there in the moment of silence as he stood still with Leonie's hand warmly in his wearing the sparkle of the ring he just set in place he felt peaceful in the presence around them. The energy was good. The moment was perfect. Alaric's approval would be the final touch and sign that Birdee could start making some plans.