Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Kas’s POV

The spindles of the staircases in the apartment building are ornately decorated metal that looks like

gold. You can look up the center and see all the way up to the ornate ceiling. It was an odd contrast to

the modern-looking pictures Lenora had shown us.

We climb the stairs to a plain oak door on the fourth floor. Voices and hammering are coming from

inside. Bronx knocks but gets no reply so he opens the door without waiting. We peek in and see a

flurry of construction workers in white jumpsuits.

I go to step inside but Bronx holds his arm out and stops me. He turns and picks me up bridal style and

carries me over the threshold.

"Sorry, but we were too preoccupied to do that on our wedding night. I wanted to do it properly for this

new place," he grins and kisses me on the nose, making me giggle, before putting me down. A man

with a thick mustache and beard approaches us. I can smell he is human.

"Monsieur Mason, we were not expecting you until tomorrow. We are almost finished with the

renovations,” he says 1n a thick accent.

"It's alright, Pierre. I'm early. I couldn't wait to show my wife our new place. Is it alright if Ishow her

around?” he says placing his hand on the small of my back.

"Oui, Monsieur, but of course. We are finished upstairs if you want to start there. Whenever you are

ready to add furniture, I will bring a team in to take care of the installation.” '

"Good man, Pierre. Merci," Bronx says as he shakes the man’s hand. He takes my hand and we head

upstairs. He explains that Pierre and his team work for MasonCo and they are installing security

equipment, not just completing renovations.

The second floor is like nothing I have ever seen. One wall has floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls are

all pure white and the floors are a lightly stained hardwood. Our feet echo as we walk through. There is

a walk-in closet similar to what we have at home. The huge bathroom is all marble witha modern-

looking light fixture.

Bronx sits on the floor and tells me to go explore. He pulls out his cell phone and takes pictures of me. I

scrunch my face and stick my tongue out at him. "Just makes you look cuter!" He teases with a smile,

"So what color do you want to paint?"

I look at the walls and think fora moment, "No, I don't want to paint. I like the white. You know, I have

never had a place to decorate before."

Bronx tilts his head like it is hard for him to imagine, "Okay, so how do you want to decorate?"

"I think I would like something pretty modern. It will make it easy to keep clean."

"Baby, we can get someone to clean the place,” he laughs.

"No way, Mister Mason. I clean my own place."

"Suit yourself," he shrugs.

“How did you find this place anyway?” I ask as I wander around.

“I started looking for something as soon as we had the conversation about how much she liked France.

I came here during the days you were at the coven. Since you felt it was a big part of our relationship, I

wanted to make it more special for you. When the realtor sent me the pictures, I knew right away it was

the apartment for my little goddess,” he says with a smile. «

The other two bedrooms are similar but smaller with regular closets. I can't get over how large this

place is. Two of our apartments back home could fit on this one floor.

"Lenora said this place was a modest size, Bronx, I say as I wander around. "Yeah, compared to other

properties I own it is. The difference is,” he comes up behind me and slides his arms around my waist,

"this one is in your name."

My eyes widen and I turn around in his arms, "What? When Lenora said you got an apartment, I

figured you got an apartment under MasonCo or your name or something. Th-this is mine?” "Yeah,

Baby. This is yours," he smiles as he looks at me with a twinkling green eye, “there is just one piece of

paperwork you need to sign when we get home to make it official.”

I grab both sides of his face and pull him toward me, kissing him deeply. I pull away long enough to

say, "You need to stop spoiling me.”

"Try and stop me," he responds, kissing me again.

We finally head back downstairs and look around some more. The kitchen is seriously to die for. The

counter is made of marble, so! don't need a stone to roll out the dough. There's a six-burner range, two

ovens, and a giant refrigerator that looks like part of the cabinetry.

Pierre approaches us as we finish looking around, "Well, Madame Mason, what do you think?"

"Pierre, I can't wait to come here all the time. We will make another trip to pick out furniture soon.

Thank you so much for everything," I gush.

He bows, "My pleasure, Madame and at your service. Just let Madame Lenora know when you will be

back and I will be here myself to oversee the work." ' We say our goodbyes and head back to the

jewelers to collect my rings. Bronx makes me stay in the car this time. He takes the loaner ring back

and collects my rings. He comes back out with my rings in a little blue box. We drive away as I open

the box to find he has also purchased the loaner ring.

“BRONX! I told you not to buy that for me!” I whine.

He doesn’t answer. He simply takes it out of the box and puts it on my right- hand ring finger with a

smile. He kisses me deeply, melting my willpower and immediately forgiving him. '

After another two days of Parisienne bliss, it is time to head home. I sit on Bronx's lap most of the way

as we trade kisses, soft touches, and words just meant just for each other.