My trip back to the village was uneventful, but I was grinning from ear to ear. The ring I had made for her honestly looked pretty cool, and it was also incredibly simple. A black ring, to match my esthetic I had going on, but the jewel was the large green cats eye Clarissa had given me. Justine did a damn good job, and the little detail I had her add to the inside was a little corny, but I was sure Cici would love it.
"Cici, my dear kitten."
Yeah, okay so it was really extremely corny, but she deserved every part of me that I could offer her. Never has a woman made me feel so loved, so secure, and so warm inside. My heart fully belonged to her, as she was the only one who ever succeeded in drawing me out of my negative and jaded thoughts. I wasn't the same man I was a few days ago, and quite honestly, I was okay with it. I never wanted to go back to that old me ever again.
My introspections lasted until the village was in sight, and with no hesitation I landed on the road in between mine home, and Cici's parent's home. It was a weird time for me, being some overpowered being that used the powers of the Abyss and fire, and I was currently spending my time building a home, and preparing for marriage. Truly a good use of my abilities, although to be frank, I didn't much care. I'd much rather spend my time doting on Cici and cuddling in bed or something versus going around trying to take over the world or something.
I would help people when they needed it, but I wasn't going to go out seeking every fight I could. Maybe that made me sound uncaring, or maybe I was shirking some perceived responsibility I had to use my powers for good, but I could help everyone, and I couldn't burden myself with the woes of every single person in existence. Otherwise, no one would be able to get anything done.
My thoughts were abruptly cut off as my beautiful woman came out of her old home, saw me, and grinned wide as she booked it towards me. I would absolutely never get tired of this. I held out my arms as she jumped atop me, and I span her around in a circle as she giggled, kissing my face a half a dozen times before eventually claiming my lips as we stopped twirling. Her lips were soft, wet, and inviting. I felt like I was in one of those sappy romance flicks, the major difference being all of the cute and fluffy appendages.
"Missed you." Cici said softly as she released my lips, and brought her face to my neck, nuzzling me affectionately.
"Missed you too." I said, placing my chin atop her head, and inhaling her wonderful natural scent.
It was still crazy to me that the cat I rescued not too long ago was now the woman who I was ready to share my life with. Looking back on my previous relationship as opposed to this one, it was pretty obvious that Rachel and I had both fallen out of love a long time ago, but that also made me wonder. Did I truly ever love her, or was I just complacent that someone tolerated me? I truly believe she cared about me as a friend, but as a lover?
"Are you okay, darling?" Cici asked me, drawing me to her.
Her gorgeous green eyes peered deep into my soul, her cute cat ears twitching adorably, and I suddenly felt like a goddamn fool. My previous relationship didn't matter. None of my life before Cici, and this world, mattered at all. There was no point in thinking about something I would never go back to, because I had a beautiful and loving woman right here. I smiled as I brought my lips to her forehead, planting a soft kiss and making her purr contentedly.
"I'm more than okay. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you." I said, which caused her to nuzzle my chin.
"I'm the lucky one." She whispered.
"Then I guess we're both lucky, huh?" I added, and she nodded into my chest.
"Hey, Eli! Welcome back!" Warren greeted me as he and Anya came out of the house.
Hiago was also following them, but when he saw us embracing, he made a sick face, and rushed back inside. It made me laugh. One day, he'll understand, I'm sure of it.
"You weren't gone that long. Did you find what you were looking for?" Anya asked me, and I grinned as I nodded at her, and released my love, taking a step back.
I looked into Cici's beautiful green eyes, those orbs mesmerizing and hypnotizing me like nothing else ever could. The love I felt for her was reflected in the love for me that shone in her gaze. It just further cemented my drive, and it was confirmation that what came before was done and over with, and my new chapter in my life had truly already begun.
"Cici, my dear, I'm not sure how people do things in this world, how they confess these sort of things, so I hope you'll forgive me by letting me do things my way, the way I was taught." I said, getting on one knee in front of her, and grabbing one of her hands delicately.
She gripped mine back as her eyes became soft emerald pools that looked at me with curiousity and affection. Her parents watched with curiosity as well, as I have no doubt our views of marriage were different. I mean, I haven't been with Cici that long and we were already tying the knot. I adored the hell out of her, so I was all for it, but hell, in my last relationship, we were together for over a decade and marriage never even came up. I took a deep breath, and looked her in the eyes.
"The day we met, I never knew how much you would change my life. I had no aspirations, no goals, nothing. I was a depressed and dying man, trying to do my best just to make it to the next day. Then, the person who I thought loved me betrayed me with another close friend of mine." I said, her eyes becoming sad, but I just smiled and gripped her hand tighter, "But then a miracle happened. I scared cat in an alley being attacked by dogs... never in a million years did I think you'd be a beautiful woman instead."
That made her smile, and even her parents had soft gazes as I told Cici exactly what ahe meant to me.
"That time we spent with us cuddling and watching TV, laying in bed with you curled up on my chest... I thought that was the happiest I'd ever be in my life." Her eyes began to water as I kept talking.
"And then? You surprised me by just... being a woman when I woke up one day. I had already grown to love and care for you, and that never changed, it just... evolved past what it once was. We could finally talk, we could hold each other, we could kiss... it was perfect. You are perfect."
"Eli..." Cici said, tears falling down her cheeks, but a bright smile adorned that wonderful face.
"You were the first person to ever make me feel like... I didn't want to die. I didn't want to leave you. I didn't want to let this go. And then you told me of this magical place. A place that is as wondrous as it is dangerous. The place where I almost lost you... but this place awakened something inside of me, and it made me the man I am now. The man who would go to any lengths to keep you safe, to protect those I love." I said, and I bent forward, and kissed the top of her hand.
She didn't say anything, but small happy sobs escaped her from my words. I was honestly surprised with myself personally. I wasn't what you would call the romantic type... so this was kinda weird for me. I was just...talking. It was like I knew the perfect words to say to her, or at least, I hoped that was the case. She seemed very receptive to it, so I just pressed on.
"For all of that, for everything you've done and shown me, for everything for introduced me to, and for showing me the love and care I'd been missing in my life for so long... thank you. Thank you so much." I said, and then reached into my pocket on the side of my a chest piece, and pulled out a black box.
Her eyes widened at the size of the box, as well as the fancy filigree that adorned the outside.
"I love you, Cici. More than words can describe, more than I've ever loved anyone else before. Nothing in either world would make me happier than you becoming my bride, my everything. I know your customs are different, and I know I haven't completed everything I need to yet, but I will. For you, I will do anything, so in the customs of my home world, I ask you this one question."I said, as I opened the box, revealing the bright green jeweled ring inside, causing everyone around to gasp.
I realized I'd drawn a significant crowd by this point. I didn't even notice to be honest. Currently, nothing existed to me except Cici and I. Everyone else was just background noise. Hell, not even that, since I was so zoned in on Cici that I wasn't paying attention to anything being said.
"Cecilia Romina, keeper of my heart, love of my life, will you marry me?" I asked, gently removing the ring and slipping it on her finger, which she let me do with trembling hands.
I looked up at her, seeing the numerous trails of tears falling down her face. Before I could even try to stand up, she tackled me, and kissed me so hard it made me fall back on my ass. When she was done, she leaned back, and stared into my eyes, hers bright with happiness.
"Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife. I love you so much, Eli." She said, and then nuzzled into my neck, "And you even knew the final step. Who told you?"
I blinked, confused, as I rubbed the back of her head affectionately.
"Uh..." Was all I could say, and I heard the cough from beside us, and looked over to see Anya and Warren, both of which were rubbing at their eyes, while Anya had a fond smile on her face.
"The final step for marriage was to simply prove your undying love and loyalty to the one you are marrying... I'd say that counts." She said, with Warren nodding, as well as many other people around us, many of whom looked moved by my speech. That wasn't even my intention.
"So... that's it? No like, rituals or sharing blood or something?" I asked, and Cici nodded into my chest while giggling.
"Nothing like that, my darling. It's honestly a pretty simple ceremony, just tedious. I would have married you regardless... but traditions." She said, leaning up for another kiss, which I gladly accepted.
"And with that done, tomorrow, we can proceed. Everything is all set, and we have everything we need. We were just waiting for you to finish your part." Anya said, and I looked at her sharply.
"We can get married tomorrow?" I asked, hope filling my tone.
Anya laughed and nodded.
"Tomorrow, it'll be official, and you'll be part of the family." Warren said with a grin, and I grinned back. I really liked these people.
"And..." Cici said, bringing her lips to my ear, and whispered huskily, "There's one last unspoken step that we get to complete right after the wedding." She finished her sentence by licking my earlobe, making me shiver.
She didn't even need to tell me the specifics. It was all in her tone of voice, and as a man who now felt his hormones quite strongly, I had to say... I was a little excited.