Belong (GxG)

Chapter 19 A Question

The greenhouse.

She slipped inside, bolting the door behind her, finally exhaling the breath she'd been holding.

She made it.

Now—

The greenhouse was still bathed in golden light, the air warm, thick with the scent of ivy and roses.

It was perfect.

A place where the past lingered in silent reverence—a space that Alcina rarely visited, not because she disliked it, but because she kept herself from it.

Ally was going to change that.

She pulled out her notebook, flipping through her scrawled notes.

Plan: The Proposal
• Candles. Romantic, warm, dramatic—very Alcina.
• Roses. Deep red. Alcina's favorite.
• Wine. (Obvious.)
• The Ring. (Already have it. Mother's ring. Resized. Perfect.)
• The Speech. (Do not panic. Do not cry. Do not forget words.)
• The Perfect Timing.

She chewed her lip, tapping the pen against the table.

She wanted this to be something unforgettable.

Something that would etch itself into Alcina's heart.

She could already picture it—Alcina stepping into the greenhouse, eyes widening in surprise, the warm glow of candlelight flickering against her breathtaking features, the scent of roses thick in the air.

And then—

The moment.

The moment Ally would kneel, would look up at the woman who had utterly ruined her for anyone else, and ask her to be hers forever.

A shiver ran through her.

This was real.

And she was so ready.

Now she just had to make it happen.

She was halfway through sketching a very quick layout for the setup when—

Knock knock knock.

Ally froze.

No.

Not again.

Slowly, very slowly, she turned toward the door. "Who is it?"

A pause.

Then—

"It's me!"

Ally relaxed.

"Oh, thank the heavens," she muttered, rushing to unlock the door. "Bela, you have no idea—"

She stopped short.

Because it wasn't just Bela.

It was all three daughters.

Bela stood at the front, arms crossed, looking mildly amused. Daniela peeked out from behind her, grinning like a gremlin. And Cassandra?

Cassandra was already pushing past her into the greenhouse. "What are you up to, fiancée?" she sang, looking around. "Sneaking away? Planning something? Hmm?"

Ally groaned, pressing a hand to her face. "I hate you."

"No, you don't," Daniela chirped, slipping in beside Cassandra. "You love us."

"Irrelevant," Ally muttered. "What do you want?"

Bela smirked, stepping forward. "We came to check on your progress."