Joanna’s pulse was a staccato rhythm against her ribs, a wild, echoing thrum that she was certain he could feel.

“Call me by a name that reflects who we are to each other,” Ashton murmured, his voice a low, magnetic resonance that seemed to vibrate through the air. “I want to hear the recognition in your voice.”

Joanna felt as if she were suspended in a moment of pure, breathless clarity. Before her was a face that commanded attention, paired with a scent—sandalwood and a hint of the crisp night air—that was starting to feel like home. The sheer intensity of his focus was intoxicating, making her mind spin.

“Ashton... I...” she began, her face flushed with a warmth that reached the tips of her ears.

According to the official documents they had signed, he was indeed her husband. But giving voice to that reality felt like crossing an invisible threshold, a final surrender of the distance she had kept for so long.

“You haven’t allowed yourself to try,” Ashton noted, his gaze softening as he leaned in closer, his presence an overwhelming but grounding force. “Take your time, Joanna. But realize that every word we share builds the foundation of what this family will become.”

Joanna took a shaky breath, her eyes searching his for a sign of hesitation, finding only a steady, burning sincerity. “Darling...” she whispered, the word barely more than a breath, yet it carried the weight of a dawning acceptance.

The reaction was immediate. Ashton’s eyes darkened, filled with a look of profound appreciation. He leaned down, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was both fervent and deeply protective. It wasn't just a gesture of affection; it was a silent confirmation of the vows they had taken.

As the air between them grew thick with a quiet, shared energy, Ashton finally pulled back, his hands cupping her face with a tenderness that caught her off guard. “Do you remember the timeframe we discussed, Joanna? The week we set aside to find our equilibrium?”

Joanna’s eyes widened, her body tensing as the realization hit her. The week had passed in a blur of shared meals and quiet conversations. The deadline wasn't a threat; it was a transition.

“Today is the horizon of that promise,” Ashton said, his voice dropping to a serious, low register. “I’ve given you the space to adjust, but tonight, I want us to finally bridge the distance between our separate lives.”