Always

He looked down at the ground, feeling a warmth in his cheeks. With a quiet confidence, he said, “She said that you’re good for me….” His voice trailed off as his thoughts raced to the other things she had said. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he finished his sentence, “…among other things.”

Thea was touched, “Isn’t she sweet.”

Mason lifted an eyebrow, and a half-smile played across his face as he replied, “I wouldn’t quite call her sweet. She’s more of an enigma than anything. But in this case, she’s right.” His grin widened, and he winked.

The waiter approached their table and ceremoniously poured a deep red wine into two crystal glasses. Thea had never seen Mason in this light, which surprised and intrigued her. She looked up at him and saw that his eyes were a gentle shade of blue, almost glassy in the candlelight. He smiled at her and said, “I took the liberty of ordering the food beforehand. I hope that’s okay with you.”

Thea let out a chuckle, her face lighting up with nostalgia, “Just like our first dinner.”

Mason recalled the first time he saw Thea. Her vibrant, contagious smile and the air of confidence surrounding her were magnetic to him. He only wanted to get out of his therapy sessions but decided to have some fun with it. He was pleasantly surprised when she agreed to be his sub. It had all happened so quickly, and before he knew it, they were inseparable. Mason raised his glass, clinking it against hers as he smiled warmly and said,” To us...and the future.”

A pink hue blossomed in her cheeks as she held her glass out towards him and clinked it ever so slightly, “To us.”

Mason looked at Thea with a vulnerable expression and slowly said, “My mother was right. I think it’s time for me to open up to you fully.” His words were like music to Thea’s ears. Thea had long waited for him to trust her completely, “I love you, Thea. You’re unlike any woman I’ve met, and I never want you from my side.”

She looked into his eyes, her heart swelling with warmth. “Mason,” she whispered, her voice softening. “I love you too.”

Mason exhaled, his body visibly relaxing. He looked up at Thea with genuine gratitude in his eyes and said, “Thank you...for everything. Truly, Thea.”

Thea and Mason enjoyed their meal, and then the waiter appeared with the bill tucked into a leather folio. Mason opened the leather checkbook, withdrew a black AmEx card, and signed the back. He stood up, helped her with her chair, and nodded at the maître d’ as he offered his arm to Thea. They stepped out of the restaurant into the glimmering night, and the glossy black Rolls Royce pulled up to the curb. Mason opened the door for her, and she inhaled the buttery soft scent of leather as they clambered into the luxurious car once more. “There’s somewhere else I want to take you,” Mason said.

“Am I allowed to ask where?” Thea asked.

Mason’s lips twitched into a sly smile as he said, “You can ask, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.” He winked, and his blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

Thea and Mason pulled up to an Art Gallery, the old brick two-story building with faded signs on the front. Mason stepped out of the car and held out a hand for Thea. They stepped onto the sidewalk and entered the building, its double glass doors creaking as they opened. Thea’s heels clicked against the marble floor, echoing off the walls as she stepped into the main room. It was dark and cavernous, with a few light fixtures casting a faint glow in the corners of the room. “I’m going to find the lights,” he said as he felt around for a light switch. Thea stood among the shadows, her eyes adjusting to the blackness of her surroundings. Then she heard Mason’s voice come through the darkness. “So, how are you liking our official first date so far?” he asked.

Thea let out a bubbly chuckle, her eyes twinkling as she said, “It’s been... magical.” She paused, her cheeks coloring as she thought of something else to add. Tentatively, she said, “I thought...nevermind.”

“What?” he asked, his voice calling out to her.

Thea hesitantly continued, “I just thought you were going to….”

A hush crept into the room, and she stood still and listened. The gentle hum of conversation was suddenly broken by an intense, electric buzzing. Lights instantly flooded the room, illuminating intricate details of expensive artwork and wealthy people milling around. Thea’s gaze settled on two familiar faces, Addison and Genevieve, beaming with happiness and standing side-by-side. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the myriad of decorations. Gigantic bouquets of flowers, colorful streamers, confetti, and dozens of gleaming balloons bobbing in the air.

“I told you, I wanted you to see me as more,” Mason said.

Thea slowly turned around. Mason was kneeling on one knee, his eyes bright and wide with hope, the little black box in his hands trembling as he held it out towards her. Her mouth hung open in surprise, and she stammered as she brought both of her hands to cover it.

Mason slowly opened up the small black velvet box. Inside was an intricately designed diamond ring with a center stone large enough to sparkle in the dimly lit room. He nervously licked his lips and took a deep breath before speaking, “Thea Palmer, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you be my sub, I mean, my wife...forever?”

Thea’s laughter quickly gave way to tears that spilled down her cheeks. She nodded, still smiling through her tears. “I will.” Her excitement was mirrored in the faces of all of the onlookers, and she barely had time to register what was happening before Mason slipped the ring onto her finger, and the music filled the room, bringing it to life. Without hesitation, Mason stood up and drew Thea into his arms, sealing the moment with a kiss filled with both joy and promise.

As the party continued into the night, the clock chimed twelve times. Mason knew that everything he had experienced that night, every moment shared with Thea, was something he would never trade for anything in the world. He looked into her eyes and felt his love for her swell inside him as the understanding they had between them was unmistakable. He vowed then and there that he would be by her side for always.