Chapter 69

CHAPTER 69

MARIGOLD

N ew York in March was unpredictable. There was always a strange middle ground between winter's lingering chill and spring's promise. It was like the city couldn't decide whether it wanted to keep freezing you to death or let you bask in the occasional ray of sunshine.

Today felt different. There was something in the air. I could feel it. I doubted it was just the caffeine coursing through my veins.

I'd been jittery for weeks, waiting for this day. Zayn had been secretive, dropping cryptic hints since before Christmas but never giving anything away. I tried everything to pry it out of him—my best puppy dog eyes, casual suggestions, direct interrogation. I even got on my knees in a very literal sense and tried to use my feminine wiles.

But he was a vault.

Now, as March rolled in, I couldn't help but wonder if this day was what I thought it was.

A proposal.

The real one. Not some fake engagement gone viral, but the real deal with the real ring and the real man I was head over heels in love with. It seemed too good to be true, but my gut told me something big was coming.

It was wild to know the man so well but have no idea what he was planning. I didn't dare guess what I thought was going to happen. That might make things weird if that wasn't his plan.

I didn't want to guilt him into proposing. It had to come from the heart. If he wasn't ready, I totally understood.

I was practically vibrating with excitement as I slid into the seat across from Elaine at a cozy café in the Upper West Side. I sipped my caramel macchiato. I hadn't seen her since the holidays, and between her pregnancy and my whirlwind romance, we had a lot to catch up on.

"You're glowing," I said. "I love the baby bump. You look so adorable."

"Thank you," she replied, rubbing her belly gently. "I'm through the first trimester, and I must say, I never expected to feel this good."

Elaine was positively beaming. The glow of impending motherhood gave her a radiant aura that seemed to light up the café. Just looking at her made me even more excited about the future. If Zayn was indeed planning on proposing, then maybe we too could look forward to starting a family soon.

"So, how's it going with you and Zayn?" she asked. "You look pretty happy."

"Things are amazing. He's been planning a big surprise."

"Oh? And what do you think it will be?" she asked with a big cheesy grin.

"Today might be the day," I said, unable to hide my giddiness. "The day I get the real proposal."

Elaine raised an eyebrow, her hands resting protectively over her slight baby bump. "Wait, are you serious? You think Zayn's going to pop the question today ?"

"I mean, I don't know for sure ," I admitted, tapping my nails on the side of my cup. "But he's been acting secretive for weeks. He has something planned, and it's big. What else could it be?"

Elaine's eyes twinkled as she grinned. "Oh my God, Marigold, this is huge! Do you think he's going to get down on one knee? Or maybe he'll do something completely out of left field. Knowing Zayn, it's going to be epic. And huge. He's going to make a grand gesture."

"I have no idea." I sighed, a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside me. "But I don't even care at this point. I just want him. A ring would be nice, but honestly, I'm happy with whatever he has planned. I just love spending time with him. I know I have to eventually get my shit together, but we've just been enjoying all our time together."

Elaine smirked. "You're glowing. Like, genuinely glowing. If you get any happier, people might start mistaking you for one of those Instagram influencers who live in a bubble of perpetual joy."

I snorted. "Yeah, right. My bubble includes coffee stains on my favorite sweater and a constant state of having no idea what the hell I'm doing, but hey, I'll take glowing any day."

Elaine laughed, reaching for her own cup. "Speaking of glowing, I should tell you—I know the gender of the baby."

My eyes widened. "Shut. Up. No way! Are you serious?"

She nodded, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Yep. But I'm keeping it a surprise."

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Elaine! You can't do this to me. I'm going to explode from all the suspense. First Zayn with his secrets, and now you? My heart can't take this. You tell me you know and then say you're not going to share!"

Elaine just giggled, patting her belly. "Sorry, not sorry. You'll have to wait a little longer. Besides, it's more fun this way."

I gave her a mock glare, but inside, I was bursting with excitement about the tiny little human I'd get to spoil rotten. Boy or girl, it wouldn't matter, but my curiosity wouldn't let me drop it.

"Give me a hint," I said. "If I were to buy something for the nursery, what colors should I be leaning toward?"

Before she could answer, or not answer, my phone buzzed with a text from Zayn.

Ready when you are. I'll pick you up in five.

I shot Elaine a wide-eyed look. "It's happening. He's on his way."

Elaine's grin stretched even wider. "Oh my God, you have to text me the minute you know what it is! I'll be dying over here in suspense."

"I promise," I said, already gathering my things. "Whatever it is, I'll spill everything. Unlike someone else I know."

She laughed. "We are planning a big reveal. I can't tell you before it's time. Trust me, you'll want to wait."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't know about that. I'm sorry I have to run out. It feels like we never have time to meet up anymore."

"It's part of adulting. But we're always going to be friends."

"Yes, we are."

I gave her a quick hug and went outside to wait for Zayn. Five minutes later, I was sliding into the passenger seat of his sleek black car. I leaned over to kiss him. He smelled like fresh cologne and that spicy warmth that always made me want to curl up in his arms.

"Hey, handsome," I said, feeling the excitement bubbling up in my chest. "Where are we going?"

He grinned, his devilish smile making me want to scrap his surprise and go back to his place to get very naked. "You'll see."

I gave him a playful nudge. "You're really going to make me wait, aren't you?"

"Patience, Marigold," he said, glancing over at me with a wink. "It'll be worth it, I promise."

"I keep hearing that," I muttered.

"What?"

I waved a hand before putting on my seatbelt. "Elaine was just telling me she knew the sex of the baby, but she says I have to wait. It'll be worth it , she says."

He laughed and pulled away from the curb. I assumed we were going back to his apartment, where I had been staying the last two months since I returned to New York. I felt like I was adrift but grounded. I didn't know what direction my life was going in, but I knew it involved Zayn, and that anchored me. He insisted I didn't have to run out and get a job I hated. So, I had been playing the role of the little lady.

And I loved it.

I loved making him dinner and waiting for him to get home every evening. I loved going to bed together and waking up together to share breakfast before he went to the office.

We drove past his place, which immediately sent my curiosity into overdrive.

It was too early to go out to dinner. I couldn't even begin to guess where we were going. When your boyfriend had a billion dollars in the bank, the possibilities were endless.

"Okay, now I'm really confused," I said, turning to him. "Where are we going? You've passed your building."

Zayn just chuckled. "Be patient."

I groaned, but inside, I was buzzing with anticipation. He drove us out of the city, which only piqued my curiosity more. It wasn't long before we were driving through a gorgeous neighborhood not far from Kathy and Armand's estate, full of tree-lined streets and stately homes that looked like something out of a postcard. My confusion only deepened as we pulled up to a gated driveway. Zayn rolled down the window and entered a code. The gates swung open.

We drove through, and at the end of the driveway, there it was—a grand, colonial-style home that looked like it had been plucked out of the past. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at it, my eyes wide.

I assumed it was one of his brother's homes. I knew a couple of them had houses out in this general area. I had no idea what kind of surprise he had in store for me. Were we going to be babysitting? Maybe having a picnic with the family?

Zayn parked the car and turned to me with a grin.

I frowned. "What are we doing?"

"Welcome home, baby."

I blinked, my brain trying to process what he was saying. "Wait, what?"

He handed me a set of keys, his grin widening. "Would you like to see your new home?"

I stared at the keys in my hand, then back at the house, then at him. "You did not ."

"Oh, I sure did," he said, his voice full of that teasing, devilish tone that always drove me wild.

I opened the car door in a daze, stepped out onto the driveway, and gazed up at the house. Our house. It was stunning. Massive. Over the top. Like, award-winning architect levels of beautiful. This could not be my life. I felt like I'd stepped into a dream.

I shook my head. "This is a cruel joke if you say you're just kidding."

"But I'm not kidding," he said. "I'm very, very serious."

Zayn came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. "What do you think?" he asked softly.

"I think… I don't even know what to think," I said, still staring in awe. "It's incredible. But you really didn't have to do this."

He kissed my cheek. "I know. But I wanted to. For us. For our future."

I turned in his arms, looking up at him. "You're serious? This is really our home?"

He nodded, his eyes softening as he gazed down at me. "Yes, Marigold. It's for us. For whatever comes next."

My heart swelled in my chest, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. This wasn't just a house. It was a promise. A promise of everything we'd talked about, everything we'd dreamed of. It was so much better than a proposal. I couldn't make dinner in a ring. I couldn't make us a home in a ring.

Zayn pointed to a willow tree in the yard. "I figured that'd be a good spot for the kids to play. Maybe even a treehouse, if you're into that sort of thing."

My breath hitched. Kids. Treehouses. The future stretched out in front of us.

"And there's a pool," he added, grinning. "Don't worry, I've already talked to contractors about putting an eight-foot fence around it. Safety first."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I threw my arms around him, kissing him hard. Zayn responded immediately, his grip tightening around me. He kissed me back with just as much intensity.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, I rested my forehead against his chest, laughing softly.

This is so much better than a proposal.

"You really did all of this for us? For me?"

He nodded, his eyes full of warmth and love. "Yeah, Marigold. You've already given me everything. Now it's my turn."

I kissed him again, my heart full to bursting. This was everything I never knew I needed—this home, this life, this man.

"Ready to see your new home?"

"Uh, duh!"