The warm sunlight crept gently through the gaps in the silk curtains, casting golden patterns across the white bedsheets. Celeste stretched slightly, her eyes fluttering open—only to find herself still wrapped in Alistair's warm embrace.
He held her from behind, his chin resting softly on her shoulder. "Good morning, my love," he murmured, his voice low and husky, so deep it made Celeste's heart skip a beat.
She turned her head, meeting Alistair's gaze—now filled with tenderness. His hair was slightly tousled, and his eyes looked at her as if nothing else in the world existed.
"What did you just call me?" Celeste asked, half-shy, half-surprised.
"My love," Alistair whispered, then playfully booped the tip of her nose. "Or... would you prefer something else? My treasure? My angel? Or Mrs. Vaughn, who drove me mad from the very first moment I saw her in that lobby?"
Celeste lightly smacked Alistair's chest, unable to suppress her smile.
"Hmm, how about... my goddess?" he continued, teasing. "Or... the heart that is now my home?"
Celeste's cheeks flushed. She buried her face in Alistair's chest, too embarrassed to look at him—the man who was now rightfully her husband.
"I never wanted last night to end," Alistair said softly, running his fingers through her hair. "But if every morning means waking up like this, with you beside me... then mornings are a blessing."
The room fell into silence. Not an awkward one, but a quiet filled with too many emotions to put into words. Then, Alistair broke it with a whisper:
"I want to celebrate today. Your first day as Mrs. Vaughn. How about breakfast on the balcony? I've already asked the staff to prepare everything. You'll need your strength... after our long night."
"Alistair!" Celeste exclaimed, hitting him again, but unable to hide the wide smile spreading across her lips.
"I love you," Alistair said seriously, his voice deep and sincere. "And I'll keep calling you every beautiful name I can think of... until you're completely convinced that you are everything to me."
Alistair took Celeste's hand and gently kissed the back of it, as if sealing something sacred. He rose from the bed, wearing only black satin sleep pants, and turned with a playful grin.
"I'll bring breakfast to bed. You stay right here, my beautiful wife."
Celeste watched as Alistair walked toward the door, her breath light and her chest filled with something... something that couldn't be described by the word "love" alone. There was comfort. There was protection. There was a warm sense of belonging, like a blanket in winter.
A few minutes later, Alistair returned, pushing a small table with a silver tray adorned with fresh pink roses and vanilla-scented candles. On it were two plates of warm croissants, cheese omelets, and a bowl of fresh berries.
"Bon appétit, my Mrs. Vaughn," he said softly as he sat on the edge of the bed, then proceeded to feed Celeste himself. "Open your mouth, love. You need to eat before I tease you until you forget the world again."
Celeste stifled a laugh, then shyly obeyed. She felt pampered like a baby—or rather, like a queen in the grand palace of Alistair Vaughn's arms.
"You know what?" Alistair whispered as he wiped the corner of her lips with his finger. "I thought I'd feel satisfied after marrying you. But instead, I've only grown more addicted. Even your smile this morning... makes me want to cancel all my meetings just to keep holding you."
Celeste lowered her head, her cheeks burning.
"Don't hide that face, sweetheart. I want to see every blush on your cheeks. That's... my sweetest addiction," he said, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple.
He gazed at her again, this time with a calm yet controlled intensity. "I'm serious. Today, there will be no meetings, no calls from the bank director, no company reports. There's only you... and me."
Celeste nodded slowly. For the first time, she felt as if the world had truly stopped for the two of them. And for the first time, her heart whispered: *Maybe... I really was born to be his.*
Alistair cupped her chin, guiding her face to meet his eyes directly. "Can I say one more thing?" he whispered.
Celeste swallowed, then nodded.
"I love you... not because you're beautiful, not because you're kind, not because you drive me crazy... but because you make me want to be the man who deserves you."