46. Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Six

Liam

Three months later

" D on't get mad when I say this, but…" August looks around my private jet before turning to Sire. "I think his jet is better than ours."

I bite back a smile and lean back in my seat before Sage scoots closer to me.

"That's why I've been telling you guys to fly with us." She smiles over at her brothers, and I steal a kiss before laying back down.

"Yeah," Lisette looks around while nodding. "You guys are bougie, but this is extra bougie." Lisette starts opening my drawers, and I don't tell her not to touch my shit because I'm sure it'll be a waste of breath.

We're on our way to Milan from New York, and Sage just carried the entire fashion week on her back, solo . I may be biased, but she's on every tabloid, and the people seem to agree that she looked the best these past few nights.

The last month has been extremely hectic for her. All four designers who invited her flew out someone to get her measurements and everything else they needed for her. Sage could've easily canceled on one of the designers, but they made all the required accommodations and clearly desperately wanted her there.

"Are you hungry?" I kiss the top of her head before readjusting her bonnet.

"I am, but we just ate…" She keeps her voice low as she glances around, but no one is paying attention to us.

"So? You can eat again."

She looks up at me with a smile, and I stand to grab the food we packed. As I walk past August, he lights up as he glances at the plate in my hand.

"I didn't know we had more food?"

"It's for your sister."

"But–"

"No."

Sire tells me not to be an asshole, and I ignore him. I can hear them both laughing behind me when I roll my eyes, and I know they're fucking with me on purpose.

As much as I hate to admit it, they're not the worst people on the planet. Sire barely speaks to me unless he wants to fuck with me, but I've learned not to let him piss me off. August, on the other hand, is so damn friendly. He constantly wants to tell me something or show me something I don't care about. The only reason I entertain him is for his twin.

I hand Sage her plate, and she smiles at me before turning to August. "Here, we can share."

He shoots up from his seat, and I shake my head at them. He takes a few spoonfuls of her food and a bite of her chicken before I shove him away.

"Let her eat."

He leaves her alone and I watch her quietly as she eats in peace. She's been doing so good but I know a lot of that has to do with her siblings. Being in all four locations for fashion week put a bit of stress on her and she had a breakdown. After the tough love speech her sister gave her she's been putting on a brave face but I can tell she really is better.

She purged once before the first night in New York Fashion Week, but she felt horrible after a very long talk, and after keeping a close eye on her, she hasn't done it again.

I turn my head at the sound of a soft laugh to find Vidia and Sire whispering about something. She shoves him away before laughing harder.

"You're so arrogant." She teases, and Sire pulls her closer.

"I'm confident , and confidence is key." Everyone laughs at him, and I shake my head before turning back to Sage. She dances in her seat as she eats. I laugh softly before kissing her cheek.

"My perfect girl."

She smiles up at me, and I wipe the sauce from the corner of her lip before kissing her.

After about an hour in the air, August is officially getting on my nerves. I should've let them take their own jet, but Sage so badly wanted us all to fly together.

"How tall do you think this is?" He raises his arms and when no one answers him he doesn't seem to notice. "Do you think this is taller than our jet?" He turns to Sire who only shrugs and keeps his eyes on the movie he and Vidia are watching on her laptop.

August starts walking around again, and if I didn't know it was impossible to burst with energy, I'd expect him to do so any second now.

"Can he not just sit?" I mumble to Sage and her shoulders slightly drop as she smiles at her brother.

"He has ADHD. He's not too good on plane rides."

I mumble an apology to her for being bothered by him because I'm sure he can't help it.

"August," Hazel sits up and reaches her hand out to him. "Come help me with this." She hands him a Rubix cube and I can tell it's just to keep him busy but her effort is sweet and it's all he focuses on for the next half hour but then Lisette starts next.

"My ass hurts from sitting, let's go see what's back here." She's already walking to the back of the jet, and Sage shoots up from her seat to follow behind.

"Come take a picture of me." Vidia rises next and forces Hazel out of her seat. They walk into the bathroom, and it's pretty nice, so I see the appeal of wanting pictures in my mirror.

With the girls being gone, I glance over at the boys and Sire is still watching the movie as August still tries to solve the Rubix cube. With how focused he is, I think the plane can crash right now and he wouldn't notice.

"I have to ask you guys something." I wait for them to turn to me, but neither of them does. "Don't make me repeat myself."

A smirk grows on Sire's face, and I think he pauses his movie, but he doesn't turn to me.

"What?" August glances between the Rubix cube and me.

"I have a question, listen."

He places it aside before giving me his attention, and Sire turns to me slowly, clearly unamused.

I glance behind me and when I hear that Sage sounds pretty far, I turn back to her brothers. "I'm proposing to your sister." I keep my eyes on them and Sire looks as if he doesn't understand English and August is lost for a second before I see his excitement settle in.

"When?!"

"Keep your voice down." I shake my head at him and check if Sage is coming, but she still isn't in sight, so I turn back around. "I'm doing it at the end of our trip."

New York had Fashion Week first, and we're on our way to Milan now, but London is next, then–

"In Paris?!"

I tell August, once again to keep quiet and now I regret telling him because I'm not sure if he can keep a secret.

"Yes."

My answer only excites him more, but when I look over at the stick in the mud, Sire doesn't react.

"You guys haven't even been together for a year."

"Your point?"

Sire rolls his eyes at my tone, but I don't say anything as he explains. "Don't you think it's too soon to propose?"

I try to figure out if he's genuinely asking or if he's just being an asshole because he doesn't want me to marry her, but Sage is mine, whether he likes it or not.

"I didn't think there was a timeline for when you should propose. I'm marrying her eventually. Why prolong the inevitable?"

Sire only watches me for something but I don't add anything else and August speaks up from beside him. "Maybe you should talk to her first, are you sure she wants to get married?"

I let out a scoff before shaking my head at him. "You and I both know your sister wants to dress up in a huge white dress like a princess and get married in a damn castle."

August nods but thinks of something else. "Well, what if you guys want different things? You should discuss that before marriage."

"I want whatever she wants."

"What if–"

"I don't care , August. I want to marry her. I want a private wedding, and I'm sure she wants a big one so she'll have the biggest wedding known to man. I want kids now, and she wants to wait, so we will. I want her to take my last name, but she's the Sage Loana Hale, so I'll take yours instead and become a fucking Hale too. Whatever she wants, she's getting it so long as I get her in return."

They both nod slowly before Sire turns his head to the side in thought. "Are you asking for our blessing?"

I roll my eyes at how full of himself he is. "Are you her father?" I don't care for Sire's blessing. I would've guessed he knew that by now.

He squints his eyes at me before a smirk reaches his lips. " Did you ask our dad?"

"Yes."

I can see the shock on his face even though he tries to hide it, but I'm not fucking with him. It took a little while for her parents to warm up to me, and I still think they aren't my biggest fans, but they want their daughter to be happy, so when I asked her dad at dinner a few weeks ago, he said yes. Not that I wasn't going to marry her if he had said no, but out of respect for their family, I let him think he had a say in it.

"Wait, so what's the question you wanted to ask?" August voices now.

I get up and grab my bag before tossing them both boxes. They each catch one, and when they open it, August's jaw drops, and Sire nods silently, but I can see he's amused. They glance at the ring the other is holding, and both of their eyes slightly widen, more so August's.

"You got her two rings?!"

"Shh!" Sire and I snap synchronously before they turn to me.

"I was indecisive." I nod towards the rings in their hands. "I hate to admit it, but you guys know her a bit better–"

"Just a bit?" A smile plays on Sire's face, but I ignore him.

"Just pick one."

They glance back down at the ring, one pear-shaped and the other emerald-cut. My mom was adamant that I know whether or not Sage wears gold or silver, and while her jewelry is versatile since most of them were gifts, she's a gold girl, so the rings are also gold and covered in white diamonds on the band with a twenty-seven-carat diamond in the center.

"What are you doing with the second one?"

I only shrug in response since I haven't thought about that yet. I can't really return them since it'll be past the thirty-day mark from the day I bought them when we get back to the States. I'm honestly thinking of letting her have both; that way, she can switch between the two to match her outfits or something.

August is looking at the rings in awe, and when he moves them side to side, I know he's watching the way they shine in the light.

"Pick one and give them back before she comes out here."

They close the box and glance behind me before meeting my eyes. "Emerald-cut." Sire tosses the box back, and I put it back in my bag before taking the second one from August.

"Why?" I glance over at Sire, and he leans back in his seat.

"She tagged along with me when I was buying a promise ring for my girl a few years ago. I remember her mentioning how perfect emerald-cut engagement rings are."

I nod to myself and almost grab the ring to look at it again, but I'm too nervous that Sage will come back out and see.

"It doesn't matter though."

I look over at Sire, and his eyes are already on me.

"She'd wear a ring pop candy with a smile on her face if you proposed with it."

August laughs softly from beside him and agrees before Sire goes on. "She loves you, and I know I give you a hard time, but I can see you love my sister." He shrugs. "I know you don't give a shit about my blessing, but I'm not against you becoming my brother-in-law. Sage always has a smile on her face, but she seems even happier when you simply walk into the room or call her on her phone. As long as that never changes, I'm happy you guys are happy."

I feel a smirk tug at my lips, and he immediately rolls his eyes at me and looks back at his movie. "Careful, Griffin," I start. "You said we wouldn't be friends, and that sounds like we're a step in that direction."

He fakes a gag, and when August genuinely gags, I shake my head at the two of them and get up to find Sage. When I pass the bathroom, I think Vidia and Hazel are still there. They're whispering, and I'm certain they're talking shit about something, but I keep walking to the back.

When I hear her laugh, I realize the room door must be open. Just as I turn, I see it is and peek into the room to find her lying on the bed with her sister.

"Lee! I was just talking about you!"

"Were you?" I flop on the bed beside her and lean on my elbow to look at her.

"She was just talking about how she wants to break up with you."

My head snaps over to Lisette so damn fast I give myself whiplash. "The fuck are you talking about?" I rub my neck before sitting up, but she only shrugs, so I turn to Sage. "The fuck is she talking about?"

She crosses her arms and just stares at me, but I'm so confused.

"What did I do?"

Her face softens, and I clear my throat from how weak my voice sounded just now.

"You did nothing! Why are you believing her?" Sage laughs before pulling me in for a hug, and I must've been holding my breath because when her arms come around me, I don't feel as lightheaded

"I was kidding . Why do you look so damn pale?" Lisette laughs , and I don't flip her off because I'm sure she'd try to hit me, and I won't hit her back, but I will lock her in the damn bathroom for the next five hours if she touches me.

"Your brothers are calling you." They aren't, but Lisette lets out an annoyed breath and leaves us. When I look back at Sage, she's already watching me with a perfect smile. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her on top of me before laying on my back. "What were you saying about me?"

Her smile widens before she kisses me. "I was just telling her that I love you."

I feel a smile spread across my face and I catch her lips with mine. "I love you way more." I kiss her again before she can respond and sigh softly against her. "I feel like we haven't been alone in days ." My hand slips into her shirt, and I rub her back as she rests her head on my shoulder.

"Ugh, I know." She kisses my neck softly as she plays with my hair. "I have a meeting as soon as we land, but I'm all yours tonight." She promises.

I wrap my arms around her as I hold her closer. "You're mine every hour of the day." I remind her, and when she pulls away, a pretty smile plays on her face.

"Very true." She leans in, but I pull away before her lips land on mine.

"Is it true?" I ask, and her brows pull together.

She pulls away so she's sitting up. "Of course, it is." She says as if it were a no-brainer, and I bite my cheek not to smile.

"What was it you said in Italy?"

She looks confused before the realization crosses her face, and she shrugs with a guilty smile. "I have no clue what you're talking about, mister."

"No?"

She starts shaking her head before I flip us over so I'm on top of her, and she lets out a shriek as I hold her hands above her head. "What was it you said in Italy?"

She shrugs again as she bites back a laugh, and I bury my face in her neck to bite her. She squirms and laughs under me, and a smile reaches my mouth at the beautiful sound of her laugh. I pull away to watch her and wish I could marry this woman right now on this plane. She consumes my every waking thought, and I know it sounds so damn unhealthy, but I have no clue what I'd be doing on this earth if she wasn't in my life. She is everything to me.

"You're so lucky you have these pretty dimples." I kiss her cheek as I let go of her hands.

"Why am I lucky?" She kisses my nose, a bright smile still playing on her lips.

My hand slips into her shirt before I steal a kiss. "Because I was going to fuck you until you really did forget ever saying what you said, but now I just want to kiss you softly."

My lips are on hers before she can reply, and when her tongue slides into my mouth, and her legs wrap around my waist, I almost take back what I said, but she pulls away first. "I don't think I want to be lucky."

A smirk touches my lips, but as I reach for her pants, she puts her hand over mine. "Later."

"Now."

She starts shaking her head no as I nod yes in return.

"My brothers are right outside. Are you crazy?" She whispers now, but that didn't even pass my mind.

I take a second to think and it doesn't take much longer to make up my mind. "I don't care. Take your clothes off, please."

She also looks like she's thinking about it, and a smile grows on my face when she glances at the door. "We have to be very quiet." She whispers again, and I kiss her neck.

"I make no promises." I bring my hand between her legs again, and she closes them.

"Liam!" She whispers, and my dick is hard solely from how nervous she is of getting caught. She shakes her head at herself, but a mischievous look plays in her eyes. "Go lock the door."

I quickly rise from the bed before locking it, and when I turn back to her, she still has her clothes on. I throw my shirt aside, and in the few steps it takes to get to her, I'm already bare for her.

"Are you going to make me rip your clothes off, or are you going to get it?"

She shakes her head at me as she pulls her shirt over her head, but as she reaches for her pants, I pull on the middle of her bra, and it snaps like a twig.

"I was going to get it!"

"You took too long. Take your pants off and lay on your stomach."

She does as she's told with no hesitation, and I smile down at her as she watches the door nervously. I kiss my way up her back before leaning into her ear. "This is your last chance, Sage."

I bring a hand between her legs and rub her clit. "They'll hear us no matter how hard you try to keep quiet." I kiss her cheek softly, and she's dripping for me. "Say no." I push two fingers into her entrance. "Tell me to stop."

She lets out a soft moan, and when she turns her face to me, she brings her lips to mine. I waste no time sliding into her, and the minute I do, she moans into my mouth.

I pull away and suck on her neck as I fuck her. She tries her best to keep quiet, and her efforts are cute, but I pound into her a bit harder, and she fills the whole room, maybe the whole plane, with her moans.

"I think Sire heard that." I kiss her cheek and notice she's biting her lip now, so I fuck her harder.

"Liam!"

My whimpers mix with the sound of skin slapping together, and when I glance back down at her, she's burying her face in the sheet. I kiss her neck again before pulling away so I can turn her around.

"Do you remember what you said in Italy?" I keep my gaze on her, and she looks away with a guilty smile on her face.

"I said a lot in Italy." She wraps her legs around me, but I untangle myself from her, and I tease her with my fingers instead, and she squirms under me impatiently. "Liam, please ." She keeps her voice quiet now, but I don't give her what she wants.

"Take back what you said."

"I take it back." Her back arches to me, and I can't help but smile at how easily she gives in. "I didn't mean it." She wraps her legs around me again, stroking my cock softly as she brings me closer to her needy pussy.

"I was never available for anyone else but you." She lifts her hips, trying to close the distance between us, but I hold back as I watch her struggle under me.

Her eyes meet mine, and she lets out a frustrated breath before she drops her hips to the bed again. "What do you want?"

"What are you willing to give?" I bring my tip to her entrance, and she keeps her eyes between us as I play with her.

"Anything." Her voice is breathless now as she arches her back to me again, but I bring my hand to her waist and push her down.

"Careful, pretty girl," I warn.

Her eyes meet mine.

"Anything can mean a lot of things."

"Liam, enough with the games."

A soft laugh escapes me at her anger, and I bury my face in her neck. "Are you mine, Sage?" I bring my hand between her legs as I kiss her neck gently.

"Yes, Liam. I'm yours."

I pull in a deep breath, soaking in her words as I bury myself in her. "Say it again."

"I'm yours, Liam." She kisses me behind my ear, and I'm a mess as she whispers sweet nothings to me.

When we finally pull apart, she has a smile on her face. "That was your best performance yet."

I pull away, genuinely offended. " That was the best?"

She laughs as she lays on top of me. I kiss her head and wrap my arms around her. "I fucking love you." I kiss her again, and she pulls away to look up at me.

"I love you more."

I smile at her words but shake my head. "Trust me, Dory, that's impossible."

Sage

" Sage Loana Hale is the It Girl in New York, Milan, London, and, after tonight, Paris. Do we have ourselves another Josephine Sloan in the making?"

My jaw drops at how casually they get on the radio and compare me to the greatest model who ever walked a stage. I think I'm far from Sloan's status but nonetheless flattered, and I can't stop smiling.

"You were perfect tonight, beloved."

I turn to Liam with a smile I can't seem to wipe from my face. He tells me how perfect I am after every show I have, and I believe him every time.

" Ms. Loana was a pleasure to work with." I put the radio up more, and Liam rests his hand on my thigh as he drives. " She's the sweetest person I've ever met. She's the purest soul and immensely professional. It was an honor to have her model my designs in this season's Fashion Week."

I let out a shriek in excitement, but none of this feels real. Designers are usually prideful and don't get on the radio to thank models, but the Colette Dubios talks about me like she's known me for years, and I hope this means I get to work with her in the future.

Today was the last day of Fashion Week. Milan and London went perfectly, and while the last few weeks have been crazy, they were more fun. Especially New York, since I was with my girls from Magic and Milan with the Moore Girls.

I glance out the window and smile up at the Eiffel Tower. I've been to Paris a few times but love it a bit more every time I come. It isn't as nice as the pictures make it seem but it's not the worst city and I always get cute pictures.

At the reminder, I turn to Liam. "I hope you know we're not leaving until we get the best pictures."

We haven't posted each other on social media, and August had the idea of taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower as our hard launch. Of course, I loved the idea and forced Liam to agree. He caved pretty fast and even got us a photographer.

Liam doesn't reply, and when I turn to him, he only smiles, but I swear his cheeks blush, and I don't tell him because he'll look away, and he looks so freaking cute when he's nervous.

"They're just pictures, Lee." I laugh softly and kiss his red cheek. He nods in response and rushes out of the car. I watch him carefully, and he seems to take a deep breath before running his palms on his pants and getting the door for me.

When I step out, I steal a quick kiss, but when I grab his hand, I feel how sweaty they are. "Are you really nervous about these pictures?" I laugh again. "It's not like an actual photo shoot, Lee. It's just to post on Famoura."

"I'm not nervous." He swallows, and it seems nervous to me, and I feel bad for laughing. If he's nervous about these pictures, he won't last a day as a model.

He pulls my hand, and we walk in front of the Eiffel Tower. I glance around, and it's weird to see the place so empty. Liam got them to shut the street down because there was no doubt that everyone would be swarming me, especially since I've been on every TV and billboard in the city for the whole week.

"Did the photographer call you?" I don't see anyone, but Liam only shrugs.

"Maybe she's late."

I shake my head and bite back an I told you so. He was adamant on hiring someone he wanted, and I tried telling him I knew plenty of great photographers, but he didn't listen. I don't care enough to be upset, so I watch the Eiffel Tower as the lights turn on. I let out a gasp when they shimmer a beautiful emerald green because the lights are never green but it's so pretty and reminds me of why it's my favorite color.

"Look at that."

I turn at the sound of Liam's voice, and when I see a few fireflies lighting up the night, my jaw drops. "Oh my God! I've never seen fireflies here before." I watch them in awe as more and more fly around us.

A quiet violin starts, and I recognize the song far too quickly. "Okay, what is happening?"

Ma Belle Evangeline starts playing, and there's no way it's a coincidence that this song starts when a bunch of fireflies appear, but it feels like I'm right in the middle of my favorite scene in The Princess and the Frog.

"Maybe it has to do with that?" Liam points behind me, and when I turn to the Eiffel Tower, a poster unrolls, and my jaw drops with it when I read the huge Will You Marry Me? sign.

"Sage."

I squeeze my eyes shut before the tears can start, and when Liam takes my hand, I shake my head, more to myself.

"Beloved, please look at me."

I pull in a deep breath and force the tears at bay, but the minute I turn to Liam and find him on one knee, I'm a mess.

"Sage–" His voice breaks, and he squeezes his eyes shut before looking down. "Fuck, I bet your sister ten thousand dollars I wouldn't cry."

That sounds just like Lisette. I let out a laugh and pat my cheeks, trying not to ruin my makeup, and I'm so glad I let Vidia and Hazel convince me to wear waterproof mascara. They knew? How long have they known?

Liam pulls in a deep breath before trying again, and when his eyes meet mine, I barely blink. My favorite part of the song comes and he says the lyrics just in time, "I adore you. I love you, Sage."

I let out a soft laugh, which turns into a soft cry as he continues.

"You light up my life, Sage. I used to crave being alone. I don't like people, but then… you fucked up my brain chemistry, and I don't ever want to be cured."

I blink away my tears to clear my vision and wipe his cheek as he continues.

"My soul aches to be in your presence, and I don't just want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I need to. I need you to be my wife. I need you to be the mother of my kids. I need you, Sage, and I need to be everything you want me to be."

"Every cell in my body calls for me to give you what you want. Whether that be three nasty cats from the shelter or letting you call me Leslie so you could fucking smile."

I break into a laugh, and he kisses the back of my hand.

"Say yes, Sage. Let me make you my wife, and I'll make you the happiest you could ever be. Or the proudest. Anything. Anything you want is yours, my offer to mop the ocean and sweep the sand off every beach is still standing but say yes. Marry me."

"Yes!" My laugh turns into another cry as I throw my arms around him. "I do! I will! I want to marry you. Yes, yes, yes!"

He laughs before standing, and I keep my arms around him and wrap my legs around him.

"I was so damn nervous I forgot to show you the damn ring." I laugh at him, but when he opens the box, my jaw drops at the gorgeous emerald-cut ring.

"It's perfect."

" You're perfect." He slips the ring on my finger before planting a soft kiss on my lips. "And you're my fiance." He kisses me again. "My soon-to-be wife."

I let out an excited squeal and when I turn to the side the photographer is here. My head whips around at the sound of cheering, and I notice everyone making their way to us. My siblings, their girlfriends, Jordan, Moon .

I turn back at Liam and he's already watching me. "You wanted your big gesture billboard proposal with a photographer and your brothers." He kisses me. "You got it."

He remembered.

"How'd I get lucky enough to end up with you?" I can't pull my eyes from his, and everyone reaches us and congratulates us, but it's as if it's still just the two of us.

"I should be asking you that." His lips meet mine before he buries his face in the crease of my neck. "My perfect girl."

The End