Mines Forever: A Vallea Mafia Romance Story - Chapter 78: Chapter 82

Verena
"Wake up Cherie", Eryx's lips touched the corners of my mouth as I moaned and then yawned before opening my eyes and making direct eye contact with Eryx as he was hovering over me with a twinkle in his eyes. I smiled back, "What a great way to wake up, but I'm going to refuse to kiss you back, being I just woke up and I don't want to scare you with this morning breath of mine".
Eryx belts out a low laugh that sends shivers down my skin. He holds my hand, helping me rise from his California King Bed. We just got back home to Alpha crest last night, and instead of going back home, I decided to crash here at Eryx's penthouse. I'm not sure why I was so exhausted, since I slept the entire flight back from Village Grove. I enjoyed the impromptu time I spent with Grandma Wyn.
She gave me more perspective on how I should handle things moving forward with Eryx. There were certain things I was going to have to make sure he could never know about. I owed it to my family to keep their secrets hidden. Eryx can not ever know, no matter how much I professed my love.
"What are you over there stressing about now?" Eryx braces his arms against the marble bathroom counter. I look into his eyes before looking into the mirror, trying to push back my disheveled curls from my face.
'Nothing, in fact, I truly feel so relaxed being I got over 8 hours of sleep. That was somewhat true, but I indeed had more concerns about my family issues, but I wasn't going to go into detail about it with Eryx. Eryx places his hand against my cheek, "You know you don't have to lie to me, Cherie".
I blink my eyes, "I have no idea what you are talking about". Eryx has a questionable look on his face, "I think you do, but I don't need to argue with you. I am going to leave you to get ready for the day. We have plans". He then kisses my cheek before walking out of the bathroom. I do not realize I am holding my breath until I hear Eryx walk out of the bedroom door.
I sigh before looking into the mirror to see that I have a purple bruise on my neck. I come from Eryx kissing. I hate the fact that I bruise so easily when Eryx kisses me in different places on my body. Eryx, on the other hand, loves it, but I would never walk out of the house showing my love bites because I do not want anyone to business.
I begin brushing my teeth and then proceed to exfoliate my skin with a facial scrub, when I take notice of Zyran and Kaemon standing by the bathroom door.
"We missed you, Rena, it seems like forever since the last time we saw you", Kaemon adds. Both boys are wearing graphic tees, basketball shirts, and a pair of white Nike socks.
I smile in their direction as I wave them over, and I place my towel on the counter just as I finish drying my face. I hug them to my chest, "I promise to not stay away anymore. Your brother has been keeping pretty occupied lately".
Zyran snorts, "Don't make us a promise if you are going to break it". I look at Zyran closely as I take hold of his hand, "I will never tell you something and not follow through with it.", Zyran and Kaemon share a look.
"Okay, if you say so. Eryx is making breakfast and wanted to know if you wanted to help".
I smile at Eryx's thoughtfulness, "Of course, I wouldn't miss out on this opportunity with you guys". I reach my hands out as Zyran and Kaemon lead me out of the bedroom. I make small talk with the boys as we walk for several minutes on the estate. So glad that the boys feel comfortable around me, I know they are still grieving their mother, and hope Eryx and their father are working to make sure the boys have as much emotional support as possible.
We make it to the kitchen, and I stop in my tracks, as I take notice of roses everywhere on the ground. Eryx is kneeling on the floor with a box propped open, as his father stands off to the side and waves for the boys to move toward him. I walk toward Eryx and stand before him as he takes hold of my hand, as butterflies form in the pit of my stomach.
"Cherie, I've been contemplating how to do this over and over again for the past few weeks, and I wanted this moment to be romantic, but I know you don't care about the materialistic things. Ever since I saw you at the mayor's soiree months ago, I knew you were going to be it for me. I love you so much. I never loved any woman before outside of my mother. You remind me so much of her, and I wish she were here to experience this moment, but I would like to ask you a very important question".
I smile down at Eryx as I feel tears sliding down my face. I nod, urging him to ask.
"Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Eryx Vallea, my better half?".
I quickly nod, spreading my fingers as I hold my hand out to him. "Yes, I will marry you". I hear the boys in the background screaming for joy as their father looks on with love and admiration in his eyes.
I gasp when Eryx opens the ring, revealing a breathtaking 10-carat diamond ring with a gold band. Its bold size is unmatched and sparkles brightly against the sunlight as Eryx moves quickly. I can feel his hands shaking as he places the ring on my left ring finger. He looks into my eyes before lifting off the ground, capturing my lips moments later.
It feels as though time stands still as electricity flows through my body. Eryx then releases my lips and hugs me against his body as I lay my head against his chest.
"You make me so damn happy. I will make sure no one will take you away from me. I need you". I smile against his chest, not paying attention to the threat he just made that went over my head, but I would soon understand the entirety of his words later on down the line.
'I love you, Eryx. I can't wait to become your wife.
Eryx looks over at his brothers and father as the boys run over to me, hugging me tightly as they kneel in front of them, as more tears spill down my face. "You are going to be our sister", Kaemon reveals. I nod and grin, 'Yes, I am going to be your sister. I love you boys so much".
Zyran wipes the tears from my eyes, "We love you too. We are going to make sure no one messes with our sister". Mason then walks over to me as he takes hold of my hand and then kisses my cheek. "It is an honor that you will be my daughter-in-law. I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe and secure".
I take notice that from Mason to Zyran and Kaemon, each Vallea male has pledged themselves to be my protectors. Maybe they were this way with Eryx's mom, but it's good to see that the men in this family truly care about me.
Eryx places his arms around my shoulder and kisses my forehead. I gasp, "I have to share the news of our engagement with my mom and grandmother".
Erxy smiles down at me, "Already taken care of". I am confused, but I hear a familiar voice behind me, "You really thought we were going to let you get engaged, and we didn't know anything about it". Grandma Wyn and my mom are standing behind me. Both are wearing sweater dresses that show off their figures. Grandma is wearing pink while Mom is wearing violet. I hug them both, "I'm so happy you both are here".
Grandma kisses my cheek before she walks over to greet Eryx, the boys, and Mason. Mama and I embraced for several minutes.
Mama leans down and whispers, "Verena, you need to tread very lightly with his family. They are extremely dangerous. They are things you have no idea they are involved in. Don't be blinded by the words of love that man of yours tells you". Instead of frowning so Eryx would take notice, I smile, but whisper back.
"Stop pestering me about Eryx. We should be celebrating my engagement. I understand your concern, but please stop worrying so much, I will be fine".
Mama then whispers, "I will never stop worrying about you are my child, Eryx and Mason are dangerous".
Eryx then takes hold of my hand as my mother and I share a look of concern. Eryx then looks at Mama, but instead of Mama acknowledging him, she decides to speak to Zyran and Kaemon.
"Everything okay, Cherie?". I smile, not wanting to share the moment I just had with Mama. "Everything is perfect", I say before kissing him on the lips.