Reborn: The Duke's Obsession-Chapter 288 - Two Hundred And Eighty Eight ( Last - )

The carriage rolled to a smooth stop in the grand, torchlit courtyard of the Carson mansion. The footman opened the door, and Eric stepped out first, his face lit with a warm, easy smile. He turned and helped Delia down, his hands gentle on her waist. Then, he reached back in and lifted a sleepy but excited Owen into his arms.

A line of maids stood ready at the grand entrance. "Welcome, Your Grace. Welcome, Duchess. Welcome, young master," they greeted with deep, respectful curtsies. They took their coats and Delia's belongings, the whole process a smooth, practiced routine of a well-run household.

Delia put her hand on Eric's arm as he, still holding Owen by the hand, led them inside.

"The children have arrived!" Elena's happy voice called out from the drawing room. She rushed to greet them, her usual stern demeanor completely replaced by the joyous, doting expression of a great-grandmother.

She led them to the grand dining room, where a magnificent table was already laid out, shimmering with crystal and silver under the warm glow of the chandeliers.

Lyra and Amber were already seated, their faces bright with anticipation.

Eric apologized with a playful smile as they stood before the family. "We are so sorry for being late. Some persons…" he said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Delia, "…couldn't decide if they wanted to wear a red or a green dress for the occasion."

"Eric!" Delia exclaimed, giving his arm a light, laughing slap.

Lyra laughed, a warm, genuine sound. "It's quite alright. No complaints here. We are just happy you've arrived." She looked at Owen, her eyes full of a grandmother's love. "My child, come and sit with me." She patted the empty, plush chair beside her. Owen, beaming, went and sat down happily.

Eric pulled out the chair at the side of the table for Delia, and she sat down, a true Duchess taking her rightful place.

Everyone began to eat, the room filled with the happy, easy chatter of a family finally at peace.

After the delicious meal was finished and the table had been cleared for dessert, Amber stood up. She gently tapped her fork against her crystal water glass, the clear, ringing sound drawing everyone's attention.

"Can I have your attention, please?" she asked, a bright, confident smile on her face. She dropped the fork and picked up her glass. "I'd like to make a toast. We are all here tonight, happy and healthy, and I think we all know who to thank for that."

Her gaze fell upon Eric and Delia. "We want to appreciate the couple in our midst. Our family's business is soaring higher than ever before, our standing in society is deeply and honorably rooted, and our home is filled with joy. We have Owen, a wonderful addition to the family, and," she looked pointedly at Delia's just-beginning-to-show belly, "another addition is coming very soon."

She raised her glass. "If we aren't blessed, I don't know what we are. To Eric and Delia."

"To Eric and Delia," everyone echoed, their glasses raised high.

"That's so sweet of you, Amber," Delia said, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

Amber looked at her mother, Lyra, and her grandmother, Elena, a silent question in her eyes. They both gave her a subtle, encouraging nod. Amber cleared her throat again, a new, nervous excitement in her voice.

"This next announcement," she said, her eyes sparkling, "is about me. I'm getting engaged."

A collective, happy gasp went through the room. Eric and Delia looked at each other, completely surprised, then back at the beaming Amber.

"Congratulations! Oh, Amber, I'm so happy for you," Delia said, immediately getting up to go and hug her.

Eric hugged her as well, but his expression was that of a teasing, protective older brother. "Congratulations. But I hope he's a good man. Is he responsible? Is he wealthy enough to take care of you? Do I know him? Does he love and care for you?"

Amber laughed. "Calm down, big brother. You will meet him at the formal family introduction next week. And yes, he is a very good man and we love each other so much."

"I'm just so happy for you," Delia said, hugging her again.

Night came quickly, blanketing the estate in a soft, peaceful darkness. Delia quietly tucked Owen into his bed in his own cozy room at the Carson mansion, a room filled with books and toys. She kissed his forehead and whispered, "Goodnight, my sweet boy."

After she closed his door, she went to their room. It was empty. Eric wasn't there. A soft breeze drifted in from the open doors of the balcony. She looked out and saw him, a tall, familiar silhouette, sitting on the stone bench, looking up at the full moon.

She went down to meet him, her soft slippers making no sound on the pathway. She came up behind him in the cool, fragrant night air. She curtsied deeply, her voice a playful whisper. "Welcome back, Your Grace."

Eric turned, a look of complete confusion on his face as he saw her formal, dramatic gesture.

"Could I sit down for a moment?" she asked, her expression serious, though her eyes were dancing with mischief.

He smiled, still confused. "What are you doing? Why are you out here? It's cold."

Delia sat down beside him, leaving a small, polite space between them. "Can we perhaps discuss my proposal somewhere more private?" she asked, and with a soft click, she pushed his old, familiar cabin keys onto the bench between them.

Immediately, he knew. A look of dawning realization, followed by pure amusement, spread across his face. He let out a deep, warm laugh. He remembered that night perfectly—the mysterious, beautiful woman who had appeared in the garden, offering him a proposition for a deal and a contract marriage. She was replaying their first real meeting after their rebirth.

Delia's serious expression broke, and she pouted. "Don't laugh at someone's heartfelt performance like that." She smacked his arm.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said, trying to stop laughing. He cleared his throat, getting into character. He looked from her face to the keys, his expression turning intrigued. "A woman who hands you a key the first time you meet her must be very intriguing," he said, his voice a low, dramatic murmur. "How fascinating."

Delia smiled, pleased. "So what will you like to do about my proposal, Your Grace?"

Eric stood up. But instead of continuing the game, he changed it. He knelt down on one knee before her on grass.

"I'm thinking," he said, his voice no longer playful, but full of a deep sincerity, "that I'll take a chance on my future with you." He reached into his coat pocket and brought out, not a ring, but a long, beautiful, customized blue silk ribbon. "Will that be alright, Delia Ellington? Will you be with me forever?"

Tears welled in Delia's eyes. She couldn't speak. She just nodded, a single, definitive movement.

He stood up, his own eyes shining in the moonlight. He gently took the ribbon and gathered her long, loose hair, binding it into a soft, messy ponytail, just as he had done that very first night in the cabin.

She stood up and, without a word, stepped into his arms, hugging him tight. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady, reassuring beat of his heart.

"I love you," she whispered into his coat. "Let's be happy. Together and forever."

"I love you too." He said as he held her close under the light of the moon, surrounded by the quiet peace of their home, finally, truly, at the beginning of their happily ever after. " Yes, let's do just that."

~ • THE END • ~