Chapter twenty-four – the proposal part 2

Stacey looked around the room with bulging eyes, gauging the reactions on everyone's faces as Fredrick's words hung in the air. Did he just propose to me?

She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. Marriage? To Fredrick August? The idea was totally absurd, yet… yet, a part of her had expected it. Had hoped for it?

Hee mind worked overtime in seconds, searching for an escape or a reality check. But nothing of such came to mind. Everyone's eyes were on her, waiting for her response. Her father's expression was a mix of surprise and concern, while Susan's face radiated excitement. Louisa's calm demeanor was reassuring, but even she looked very curious. Henry's gruff expression had softened ever so lightly, and Stacey sensed a glimmer of hope there.

Stacey's heart pumped faster than ever before, yet skipped so many beats, it left her feeling sore. Fredrick had walked over to where she sat and was now crouched in front of her. She turned back to him. His eyes locked onto hers, filled with an intensity that made her head swoon, but not in a good way. She remembered their date, the kiss… her first kiss… the way he had jumped in to save her in her backyard, after she had chewed him out and called him a chauvinist. Then she remembered Carina, and a trail of other ladies he'd been intimate with; she'd done her research. A million thoughts crossed her mind with such speed, breathing became increasingly difficult. So, rather than think of a response, she focused on her breathing.

"Stacey?" Fredrick prompted, his voice low and gentle.

She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. Marriage was a huge step, a commitment she wasn't sure she was ready for… but her life being on the line made it increasingly pertinent that the decision be made, and quickly too. What other choice did she have? Azrael and Carina's threats loomed over them, and Stacey knew she couldn't face whatever was coming alone. She needed an alliance!

"I… I need time to think," Stacey stammered, buying herself a moment to process. Her eyes darted around the room, feeling trapped and suffocated. "I need some air," she muttered, getting up from the couch. "I'll be right back."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, seeking the solitude of the garden where Louisa and Henry had been earlier. The cool evening air enveloped her as she stepped outside, and she took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind.

Meanwhile, back in the living room, the atmosphere was tense. Frederick immediately rose from his crouched position, his eyes fixed on Stacey's retreating figure. "I should not have sprung that on her like that. I'll go talk to her," he said, taking a step forward.

But Susan quickly intervened. "No, Frederick, let me go. If anything, she needs her mother right now."

Frederick hesitated, then nodded and sat back down.

Susan got up and followed Stacey outside, leaving the others in an uncomfortable silence.

After what Frederick would consider an eternity, James broke the silence, his voice low and serious. "We need to discuss our next move regarding Carina and Oded, and their dumbass tribe or whatever it is called. We can't just sit around waiting for them to make their next move."

Louisa nodded in agreement. "I've been thinking... maybe we should try to gather more information about their plans. See if we can uncover any weaknesses."

Henry grunted. "I say we take a more aggressive approach. We can't just defend ourselves; we need to take the fight to them."

Frederick, still distracted by Stacey's departure, absently nodded. "I agree with dad. We need to take action."

As the group inside discussed, Susan found Stacey sitting on a bench, surrounded by the serene beauty of the garden.

"Hey…" Susan began, a soft smile on her face. "Can I join you?"

Stacey nodded, shifting to make space on the bench. 

Susan walked over and sat down beside her daughter, putting a gentle arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, sweetie, you alright?"

Stacey just shook her head in response, eyes on her laps. 

"What's going on in your head? Tal to me baby." Susan said, her voice soft and comforting.

Stacey sighed, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I don't know, Mom. I just feel so lost. I thought Frederick and I were on the same page… not getting married just to avert this crisis. But then, the proposal... it's… it's all so sudden."

Susan nodded understandingly. "You're scared. And that's okay. But what is it about marrying Frederick that's really scaring you? Is it him, or is it the idea of marriage itself?"

Stacey hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's... it's both, I guess. I don't know if I can trust him fully. He's got this whole playboy reputation. And has left a trail of heartbreaks… and I don't know if I can handle being tied to someone like that." 

Susan nodded, "is that all?"

"Well… there's also the fact that this whole marriage thing is just some untested hypothesis. We're not even sure if Azrael would stop coming after me just because I'm married to Fredrick. Plus, I'm not even sure if I love him. If I'm being honest, I have come to maybe care about him in the last month… but I don't know if that is enough."

Susan listened attentively, her expression empathetic. "Okay… is that all, baby?"

Stacey gave the question a thought, "yes. I think that's mostly it."

Susan took Stacey's hands in her own as she began to speak. "Stacey, love isn't always a lightning bolt. Sometimes it's a slow burn, a gradual realization that this person is the one you want to spend your life with. I know it feels forced now, but if you sincerely open up your heart to this, you'd be sueprised how much love can grow." Susan paused, to let the words sink before she continued.

"Frederick might have had a past he is not proud of, but that is what it is… 'a past.' You should know not to judge people by who they were. And as for trust... that's something you'll have to work on together. No relationship is perfect, but it's how you navigate the imperfections that matters."

Stacey nodded, feeling a small sense of comfort. "I know, Mom. It's just... I don't want to make a mistake. I don't want to end up hurt."

Susan pulled her into a warm hug. "You won't be alone in this, Stacey. We'll support you, no matter what you decide. And as for mistakes... well, they're an inevitable part of life. But it's how you learn from them that matters."

After a moment of silence, Susan stood up, brushing off her pants. "I'll leave you to think, sweetie. Take your time, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. As much as we're pushing for this because we want to keep you both alive, this is your decision, and yours alone."

With one last reassuring smile, Susan headed back inside, leaving Stacey to her thoughts.

"Is she okay?" Frederick asked, getting to his feet as soon as Susan stepped into the living room.

Susan nodded. "Give her a few more minutes. If she doesn't join us, then you can go to her."

Frederick sat back down, his eyes on the door. His parents and Stacey's resumed talking about what they wanted to do about Carina. But, their words hit his ears as distant echoes. His mind was fixed on Stacey as he waited patiently, willing  the door to open and usher her back inside. 

Finally, after what felt like twenty minutes, he couldn't wait anymore. He got up and walked out into the garden, his eyes scanning the darkness until he found Stacey sitting on the same bench, her face lost in thought.

"Stacey?" he said softly, approaching her.

She looked up, her eyes meeting his, and Frederick's heart did a summersault. He sat down beside her.

"Hey," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey," he replied, taking her hand. His thumb stroked her hand. "I know I sprang that on you in there. I'm sorry. I just... I couldn't wait anymore."

Stacey smiled, a small, sad smile. "I just... I need to know that you're sure about this, Fred. That you're not just doing this to save me… 'Cause, what if we're wrong and we find out after we're married that there's another way? What happens then?"

"By then, we'd already be too madly in love with each other to care."

Stacey chuckled wryly. "Love… isn't that supposed to come first? Isn't the right order of a normal relationship, love, and then marriage?"

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed but there's nothing normal about either one of us." Frederick joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Stacey let out a cackle. "True."

"Yes. So, we don't have the luxury of conventionality. However, Stacey Brown, I can tell you one thing. I would love to spend the rest of my life getting to know you, learning to love you, and keeping you safe." He took a second to breathe before proceeding. "I know I haven't been the best person in the past, but I am willing to be better."

Stacey's smile grew, and she leaned into him. "I think we can work with that." She was tired of the back and forth with Frederick, and she really didn't want to be a bride to Azrael, or whatever he had in mind for her. 

Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss, the world around them melting away.

As they walked back inside, hand in hand, the tension in the room was palpable. Their parents looked up, expectant, and Frederick smiled.

"We've made our decision," he said, his voice firm. "We're getting married."

The room erupted into cheers and tears, their parents embracing them both.

But as they celebrated, Stacey's voice cut through the noise. "I need to tell you all something. Adelaide's professor who was looking into the mark and everything connected to it was found dead... If we've decided to defy Azrael, I think he'll come for us, soon. We should be prepared."

The room fell silent. Frederick pulled Stacey closer to his side, hands on her hips. "We'll face whatever comes next, together," he said, his voice low and determined.

She nodded and allowed him pull her into a hug. And as they stayed in each others arms, the shadows outside seemed to grow longer, as if darkness itself was waiting for them… patiently.