The evening had settled in like a calm, velvet blanket over the Winters estate.
Dinner had been light, and now the three lounged in the cozy living room. The scent of lavender from the diffuser lingered in the air. The television played a docuntary none of them was watching, and the atmosphere was the kind that needed no words to be understood. Peaceful, familiar, safe.
Stefan leaned into the corner of the couch, one arm resting behind Ruby who had her head nestled on his shoulder. Across from them, Rayna sat curled on the loveseat, legs folded under her as her fingers scrolled aimlessly through her phone. Her brows would occasionally crease, her thumb hovering over the screen before she set it aside again. Then monts later, she’d pick it up and check again.
She’d done it too much that even Stefan who hadn’t been paying attention to her noticed.
"You keep checking your phone. Are you expecting a call or sothing?" he asked, his voice laced with casual curiosity when he saw that Ruby wasn’t asking.
Ruby lifted her head slightly to look at Rayna, her lips curving with amusent. "Exactly! That’s how she’s been since morning. Looking at the phone like it holds the secrets to the universe."
Rayna rolled her eyes dramatically but didn’t deny it. "I’m just keeping track of the engagent on the blog post I made about Ivy’s stunt. I’m monitoring the analytics."
Ruby raised an eyebrow, settling back into Stefan. "Mhm. That’s what you said this morning. And two hours ago. And just before dinner. No matter what you say, I still think you’re waiting for a call and you better tell who that person is."
Rayna made a face and sank deeper into the loveseat. "Okay, maybe I’m expecting a little sothing. But not from who you’re thinking."
Ruby chuckled softly. "Sure. You wouldn’t be this forlorn if it isn’t from who I was expecting."
She yawned then, covering her mouth with one hand. "Anyway, I think I’ll head upstairs now. I’m really tired."
Stefan kissed the top of her head. "That ans I’m going up too."
Ruby turned her head toward Rayna. "Don’t stay up too late. And don’t keep staring at that phone or you’ll start seeing things. Instead of waiting anxiously, just call whoever it is."
Rayna threw a cushion at her playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, lovebirds."
"Goodnight, Ray," Ruby said, smiling as Stefan helped her to her feet.
They ascended the stairs, hands intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world, leaving behind the fading echoes of their laughter.
The mont they were gone, the silence crept in again. Rayna stared at the now-darkened screen of her phone lying beside her. She reached for it again, not because of the blog. Not because of analytics or engagent.
But because of Ethan.
Her thumb hovered over his na in her contacts. Still no text. No call. Not even a silly emoji to say, "Hey, did you land safely?"
She sighed deeply, the sound loud in the quiet room.
Of course Stefan must’ve told him she arrived safely. She wasn’t stupid. And maybe that was the reason he didn’t bother calling. But still—it stung. Why wouldn’t he even try to call or text?
Rayna had always prided herself on not needing anyone’s validation. She was the strong one. The one who told Ruby to breathe when everything felt like it was crashing down. The one who packed a bag and moved cities because her best friend needed her.
But now? Now she was lying to herself, pretending like she hadn’t been refreshing her ssages every hour hoping to see his na.
She wrapped her arms around herself, curling tighter into the loveseat.
She thought about calling him like Ruby had said. Maybe just to check in. Ask about sothing random and pretend he hadn’t bothered to check with her. But then again, wasn’t he the one pursuing her? Shouldn’t he be making the effort? Shouldn’t he be the one reaching out?
Her pride flared.
No. She wouldn’t do it. She wouldn’t chase.
"He’s the one courting ," she whispered to herself. "Not the other way around."
And yet... she missed his voice. She wouldn’t even deny it. Perhaps, she was giving him too much room in her heart, hence the struggle to not think about him when he obviously isn’t thinking about her.
It was ti to call herself to order.
Just as she was gathering the throw blanket around her shoulders, ready to retreat to the guest room and sleep the ache away, she heard footsteps descending the stairs.
Rayna sat upright, blinking as Stefan ca into view.
She arched a brow, confused. "Hey... is everything okay? Do you need anything?"
Stefan smiled lightly. "Yeah, everything’s fine. I just needed to talk to you—about Ruby."
Rayna’s eyes imdiately sharpened with concern. "Is she alright?" she asked, straightening. "Did sothing happen?"
How long had she sat there, thinking about Ethan? What could’ve gone wrong with Stefan and Ruby? She hoped it wasn’t sothing serious.
Seeing the worried frown on Rayna’s face, Stefan shook his head. "No, no. She’s fine. She’s already asleep, actually. I just... needed to talk to you about sothing important."
Rayna exhaled, her shoulders dropping in relief. "Okay. You scared a little. What is it?" she asked curiously, wondering what it could be that he hadn’t discussed earlier and had waited till Ruby was asleep.
Was it about Ethan, perhaps?
Stefan exhaled, looking at her and not knowing how to start the conversation. He ran a hand through his hair before sitting across from her.
There was sothing nervous—almost boyish—about the way he shifted in the chair, like soone preparing to say sothing they’d been holding onto for too long.
"I’m going to propose to Ruby," he said softly.
Rayna’s eyes widened. "What?"
Had she heard him right?
"I want to propose to her this Sunday," he continued, his voice lower now, and a bit more serious. "I’ve been thinking about it all day. Not just the proposal... but the wedding. I want us to get married in two weeks after the proposal. I don’t want to wait till after she gives birth and I don’t want Ivy or anyone to say silly things about her when people realize she’s pregnant."
Rayna blinked. "You’re serious?" she said, thinking about what he said. He was indeed the best man... only man worthy of Ruby.
Stefan nodded. "Dead serious."
For a mont, Rayna just stared at him. And then, slowly, her lips parted into a wide, radiant grin. "Oh my God, Stefan. That’s amazing! Thank you for always thinking about her well being and for always putting her first."
A flush of warmth filled her chest as she leaned forward. "Wanting to protect her this way by marrying her before the baby bump starts showing, or before the dia could ruin her reputation..."
He shook his head and cut in before Rayna could finish. "It’s not just about the dia, though that’s part of it. I just... I want to do right by her. I want to give her sothing beautiful—sothing she never expected she could have. She deserves that. I also don’t want our child to be born out of wedlock and she’s all I need. I an, I’ve been married to her before so I know that. I just want to give her that dream wedding she wants. One she truly deserve."
Rayna’s chest tightened. The sincerity in his voice made her heart swell with admiration. She could see it—clearly now—just how deeply he loved Ruby. It wasn’t about saving face or playing hero. It was genuine even more than she thought possible.
"You really love her," Rayna whispered.
Stefan smiled. "More than I ever thought I could love anyone. She’s my life."
Rayna blinked back the sudden moisture in her eyes. "God, you’re going to make cry."
Stefan chuckled. "Don’t cry yet. I still need your help."
"My help?" she asked.
He nodded, more serious now. "You’re the only one who knows the truth, who’s been there for her from the start. I need you to help with the wedding plans. I want it to be perfect, Rayna. I want her to walk into that venue and feel like she’s stepped into a dream. But we’ve only got two weeks. I can’t do this without you. You and my mom could help so she doesn’t get too stressed."
Rayna’s hand flew to her chest. "Are you kidding? Of course, I’ll help! I’ll plan the whole thing if you want. I’ll call in favors, hunt down florists, tailors, decorators—whatever you need. You’ll just give your mom’s contact and we’ll get in touch and comnce planning."
Stefan grinned, his relief palpable. "Thank you."
"I should be thanking you," she said softly. "For giving her the kind of love she always used to talk about when we were younger. I rember she once said she didn’t think that kind of love existed anymore—not in real life since she didn’t see it in her family. But you’ve made her believe again."
Stefan looked down, his voice a little hoarse. "She’s made believe again, too."
Rayna rose from her seat and moved over to him, giving his shoulder a light squeeze. "I’m proud of you, Stefan. And I’m even prouder of her. You two? You’re sothing else."
He looked up at her, grateful. "Let’s make this happen then?"
Rayna smiled. "Yeah. Let’s give her a fairytale."
They sat for a while longer, quietly tossing around rough ideas—venues, colors, dresses—before finally parting ways for the night.
As Rayna climbed the stairs to her room, her heart was full. Despite Ethan’s silence, despite the ss Ivy had created, sothing about tonight felt right.
She could feel sothing beautiful unfolding—and she was lucky enough to be a part of it.
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