by Kay Edwards
Chapter Seventeen
A week had passed since Stefan and Wendy had spoken their love for each other out loud. The two were enjoying the cold air of impending winter as they walked hand in hand in a small park near the estate. Stefan glanced down at Wendy. “Are you cold?”
Wendy took a deep breath of the cold air. “I’m fine. I love all of the seasons. Each of them has their own distinct smell. Winter smells crisp and clean.”
Stefan nodded as they continued to walk. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously with the hand not holding Wendy's. He glanced back down at her. “Wendy, you know I love you. I…” He pulled a little black box from his pocket and opened it. “I want forever with you. Will you marry me?”
Wendy looked at the ring. Tears stung her eyes as she whispered softly. “I would be honored to be called yours forever. Yes, Stefan I will marry you.”
Stefan had not realized how nervous he had been. His hands shook as he took the ring and put it on her finger. He whispered his love softly as he kissed her gently.
Wendy had known that Stefan had wanted a future with her. She had not realized how much his proposal would mean to her. Happy tears streamed down her cheeks as she kissed him back. “I love you, Stefan Felix.”
Stefan used his thumb to wipe away her tears. He knew his own eyes were misty. “You have danced quietly into my heart and touched my soul Wendy. I love you so much.”
Wendy touched Stefan's face. "Thank you for letting me into your heart. I cherish you, Stefan. I cherish the family we are building."
Stefan pulled her close for another kiss. He put his forehead on hers once he eased his lips away. "I think I should be thanking you."
Wendy looked at the ring on her finger. She realized how perfectly it fit her hand. She looked up at him. “How did you know my size?”
Stefan chuckled. “Carla kind of helped me.”
Wendy’s eyes were bright with happiness. She touched his face. “I didn’t know I could be this happy.”
The two kissed once more before walking back to the estate. They talked about their future along the way. They each agreed that the kids needed to be reassured that they were all still loved. When they reached the front door, Stefan pulled her close for one last kiss. “I love you.”
Wendy whispered softly. “I love you too.”
Stefan opened the door. He stood aside so she could enter first. Taking a deep breath, he glanced down at her. “I guess we go tell the kids.”
Wendy nodded. “I’m kind of nervous about this.”
Stefan had to agree. “They are young. I’m hoping they understand we love them all.”
Wendy turned at the sound of little voices. She smiled up at the man she had given her heart to. “Here we go.”
Stefan watched as Ms. Shelly walked into the foyer with the children. He smiled at her. “We have them. You go take a break.”
Wendy held out her hands for the boys as Stefan picked Macy up. “Why don’t we talk?”
Cory looked up at the adults. “We were good. Are we in trouble?”
Stefan chuckled. “You are not in trouble. We want to talk to you three nothing more.”
Wendy followed Stefan into the sitting room that she had used to speak to Macy. When they all were sitting, Wendy started talking to the boys. “You know how much Uncle Stefan and I love you boys right?”
Cory nodded. Sean smiled. Cory spoke. “We love you too.”
Wendy touched Cory’s face. “How do you feel about all of us being a family?”
Cory looked at her confused. “We are a family.”
Wendy glanced at Stefan. “I know we are. We want to change it a little.”
Stefan could see Wendy struggling for the right words. He could also see Cory’s angst. He handed Macy to Wendy and then picked Cory up and sat down with him. “Cory, I want to marry your Aunt Wendy. I want you and Sean to live here with Macy and me.”
Cory looked down at his hands. “Why does Macy get a mommy and daddy? I want to leave.”
Stefan looked at Wendy surprised. It had not occurred to either of them that Sean and Cory would feel this way.
Wendy looked at Cory. “We aren’t leaving. We can talk about this. Cory, do you want to stop calling us Aunt and Uncle?”
Cory’s little face was tormented. “I miss my mamma.”
Stefan hugged the little boy close. “Cory, Macy has a mommy in heaven too. It isn’t easy to look at things different, but your mamma would be ok with us talking about this.”
Cory looked at his Aunt Wendy. “You are my mommy now aren’t you?”
Wendy watched the play of emotions on her nephew’s face. “I am your mommy now. I take care of you. I love you.”
Sean leaned against Wendy as he sensed his brother’s torment. “What’s wrong Aunt Wendy?”
Cory looked up at Stefan. “What happens to us? What will you do to us if you marry Aunt Wendy? We are just nephews.”
Stefan spoke to the boy gently. “You are not just nephews. Cory, I want to be your dad. If you don’t want to call me that I understand but just like your Aunt Wendy is your mommy now I want to be your daddy. Do you understand that?”
Cory sniffled loudly. “I think so. Sean and I don’t have to leave?”
Stefan kissed the top of his head. “I plan on keeping you all. I would never ask you to leave. You would have a new sister.”
Macy frowned. “I don’t want a brother.”
Stefan grimaced at the look on Macy’s face. He was thrilled when Wendy fielded that comment. “Macy remember when we talked about sharing? It is nice to share. You will have two big brothers to protect you. I had a big sister growing up. It was fun. Sharing your daddy will give you something new too.”
Macy looked like she was reconsidering. “They love me too?”
Cory glanced at Macy. His big brother attitude came through his insecurity. His little chest puffed out. “I will love you. I will take care of you like big brothers do.”
Stefan spoke to Cory. “You and Sean will be great big brothers to Macy. Are you feeling better about this? I really do love you, Cory. I love you and Sean both. I like the idea of doing guy things like we do now.”
Wendy frowned as she spoke. “Of course, he is going to do fewer armpit farts.”
Stefan gave her a flirtatious wink. “I will have some new sweet talking tools once we are married. I don’t want to take that off the table just yet.”
Wendy blushed crimson. “You need to stop. We are not married yet.”
Stefan chuckled as he tormented her. “I thoroughly love that color on you. It brings out your eyes.”
Cory spoke as well. “Why do you change color like that? I agree with Uncle Stefan. You look nice when that happens.”
Wendy giggled. “We will explain that when you get a bit older. Now, are we all good with this?”
Cory nodded. “We are going to be a family.”
Sean glanced at Cory. “I like it if Cory does.”
Macy looked at Wendy. “I want you with me. I like.”
Stefan watched as Liam walked in the room. “It looks like we all agree.”
Liam smiled at Wendy and the kids. “I am happy for all of you. I wanted to let you all know that Mom and Dad are on the way. They knew something was going on.”
As if on cue the front door opened. All of the kids ran for the front door with Liam. Stefan pulled Wendy into his arms for a private kiss. “I love you.”
When he ended the kiss, Wendy looked up into his eyes. “I love you too. I am so happy Stefan. I had no idea that day in the elevator would lead to this.”
Stefan stood and held out his hand. He smiled as she took it. “I guess we go celebrate with the family now. I know for a fact Carla is ready to see how we did with the size of the ring.”
Wendy allowed him to lead her out into the foyer. She looked at Aaron and Gretc
hen’s faces and knew they were happy with the news.
Gretchen hugged Wendy. “I love you. I am thrilled to hear you said ‘yes.'”
Wendy returned the motherly woman’s hug. “I love you too. Thank you for accepting me into your family from the beginning.”
Aaron hugged Wendy once Gretchen finished. “I had a feeling you would end up being one of my girls.”
Wendy giggled. “I hear we do no wrong.”
Aaron winked at her. “I am completely sure of that. I try to tell Ms. Shelly that about Macy. Of course, she disagrees.”
Wendy looked at Stefan. “I’m sure your son will have those moments too.”
The group headed toward the kitchen. The staff was already in the process of preparing a special celebration meal. The rest of the day was spent celebrating the promise of Stefan and Wendy’s tomorrow.
