Chapter 10 - The Secret in the Garden
As twilight settled over the estate, casting a warm golden glow across the lawn, the guests gradually dispersed. Zoe had headed home with a box of leftovers, leaving Nia, Matteo, and Leo alone in the quiet garden.
Leo had finally run out of energy and was fast asleep in Matteo's arms, his thumb tucked into his mouth, his little head resting against Matteo's chest. Matteo held the boy with a natural, effortless grace, rocking him gently as they walked toward the far corner of the garden.
Thor trotted alongside them, his nose sniffing at a newly planted oak tree surrounded by a ring of smooth, white river stones.
"This is where he found them," Matteo said quietly, stopping beside the young tree. "Under the old stump that used to be here. Thor dug up six toys over two weeks."
Nia knelt by the tree, touching the smooth bark. "He saved them for you, Matteo. He knew you'd come back for them."
"He saved them for us," Matteo corrected gently. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet bag. From it, he drew a delicate silver ring set with a brilliant, brilliant-cut diamond that caught the fading light of the sunset.
Nia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
Matteo carefully adjusted Leo in his left arm, dropping to one knee beside the oak tree. His dark eyes were filled with an overwhelming, raw sincerity.
"Nia Santos," Matteo said, his voice steady yet filled with deep emotion. "Four months ago, I was a man living in darkness, consumed by revenge and ghost stories. You walked into my life complaining about a twenty-dollar stuffed rabbit, and in doing so, you brought light back into my world. You and Leo gave me a reason to live, not just survive."
He took her right hand in his, his thumb tracing her knuckles. "I want to build a future here. With you. With Leo. I want to be the man who protects your dreams and builds your happiness. Will you marry me?"
Tears blurred Nia’s vision as she looked from the stunning ring to the man holding her hand—the man who had transformed from a terrifying stranger into her protector, her partner, and her love.
"Yes," Nia sobbed happily, slipping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. "Yes, absolutely yes!"
Thor let out a loud, triumphant bark, thumping his tail against the ground so hard it rattled the garden stones. Leo stirred in Matteo's arms, rubbing his eyes and yawning sleepily.
"Mama?" Leo mumbled, looking between them. "Is Thor playing?"
Matteo laughed—a rich, happy sound that echoed across the quiet estate—and pulled both Nia and Leo into a tight embrace.
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"Thor is playing, buddy," Matteo whispered, kissing the top of Leo's head, then leaning in to kiss Nia once more. "And we are home."
Beside them, under the roots of the growing oak tree, Thor sat proudly, his intelligent eyes watching his family. Beside his front paws lay Mr. Bun Bun, resting safely in the sun, never to be lost again.
