Chapter 434: Our Family’s New Heirloom
Each photo was a slice of their life together.
As he felt the heat emanating from his eyes, Ruediger laughed softly at himself. He had just teased Lariette for being easily emotional over the gift, yet now he was just the same.
Upon seeing her beloved suddenly turned into an immobile statue, she leaned over and nuzzled her cheek on his shoulder. A stray lock of her hair brushed his neck.
"Honey, quick, look at my masterpiece. I took weeks to make this."
"Hehe, okay," he laughed again, gaze full of indulgence as he glanced at her.
Ruediger flipped through the pages slowly, his expression softening with each page. Throughout the album, he saw many familiar moments captured into photos.
The day they got married, the trip to the island, the visit to the amusement park, the night they had fun at Maddie’s cafe event, a photo of them with the backdrop of a light show, and even the time when they celebrated the first snowfall at the park.
Beneath each photo, Lariette had written something small and heartfelt.
Some were the details of the particular photo or jokes, sometimes just a few words like "You looked so smug here" or "Should we come here again?"
What Ruediger loved was how their expressions changed. Everything was perfectly captured by the lens, evident through their smiles and glances at each other.
From the awkwardness between two new acquaintances, to developing closeness as friends and then the sense of intimacy that only existed between lovers.
Ruediger grazed his thumb and index finger on the first snowfall photo. As he lifted his gaze, he turned slightly to look at the beaming Lariette.
Intrigued, he asked, "When did you make this? Before you’re busy with the exam season?"
Hugging one of his arms, she chuckled as her twinkling eyes gazed upon his, "Yes, I started before that, then I added photos gradually. Like you, I wanted to gift you something personal. Something that shows our life."
He closed the album gently before placing it on the coffee table. Once again, he brought her into his arms. A warm smile tugged on his lips when she returned the hug.
"This is perfect, Lettie. Just like you. I love it a lot."
"Hehe, I love what you gave me too."
As they were enveloped in each other’s familiar warmth, they no longer spoke. Instead, they simply soaked in the quiet joy. They couldn’t exactly know what the other was thinking, but their feelings were similar.
When they agreed to enter into this contractual marriage last summer, neither Lariette nor Ruediger knew how far their journey together would take them. Two seasons later, saying that they were head over heels for each other was an understatement.
"Eddy," Lariette whispered, her voice tinged with a tiny smile, "Don’t you think we’re hopeless romantics?"
"Hopelessly in love should be the most accurate," Ruediger replied, bringing her even closer to him.
Her cheeks warmed with blush, "You’re such a smooth talker."
"It’s an innate talent," he said playfully, "But only to you."
"Enough," she pushed him away, laughing under her breath, "Our tea has cooled down. Let’s sit on the couch."
Ruediger let Lariette pull his arms. He cooperated by standing up before settling on the couch with her. As they sipped their tea, the soft hum of the breeze outside filled the pauses between chatter and laughter.
Lariette reached for the sketchbook again to look at the pages from the beginning. A smile easily found its way to her lips as the familiarity of each sketch brought out her fond memories.
"Wasn’t this when we visited the lake park?" she grinned as she pointed at a sketch, "The first time we rode bikes together."
"As you said, it’s our first time cycling bikes together," he murmured, one arm resting across her dainty shoulders, "Of course, I couldn’t miss it."
Chuckles escaped her lips before they softened into something more tender. She eyed him with overflowing affection, "I’ll treasure this."
"It’s good to know," he said teasingly, and then showing the album he received, "I’ll make this our family heirloom. What do you say?"
"Hahaha! That’s ridiculous!"
"No, it’s not. Nothing else will be more suitable than this, sweetheart."
Time passed quietly as the pair teased each other. They finished their tea and dessert while talking about little things.
The Christmas lunch tomorrow with the Campbells, what to cook for New Year’s Eve once they meet Maddie and her maternal family, and then Ruediger’s plan to bring Lariette to visit the frozen lake in Norvonna later.
Everything felt simple, yet profoundly intimate.
They only didn’t talk about one thing; their visit to Amberwood Village after Christmas.
At some point, Lariette picked up her phone and snapped more photos. This time, she captured the cozy coffee table where their gifts lay side by side. She sent them to her grandfather, Madeline and a few close colleagues, along with a short message.
[Merry Christmas from us]
Replies came in quickly, in the form of warm greetings and festive stickers lighting up the screen. She laughed as she showed her grandfather’s text.
"Grandpa sent his love?" Ruediger asked, amused as he leaned closer.
Lariette nodded, "Read this. He said to make sure you spoil me even better than before."
"I don’t need any reminder," he rested his chin lightly on her shoulder while lowering his arm from her back to her waist, "Don’t you agree?"
Setting the phone aside, she turned her chin before playing with his cheek, "Yeah. I’m already spoiled rotten by you."
The night deepened as they cuddled on the couch. The decorative lights cast a soft orange glow while the snow fell silently outside, endlessly gentle and beautiful.
Then, the clock struck midnight.
Ruediger murmured, "Merry Christmas, Lettie."
Lifting her head, Lariette’s eyes were soft and bright, "Merry Christmas, Eddy."
Their lips met in a gentle kiss, filled with warmth as the quiet winter night bore witness that neither needed words to know how deeply they loved each other.
As the pair was immersed in their passion, none of them noticed the new message sent by Nathaniel to Ruediger. He had also attached a photo.
[Nate: Proposal succeeded!]