“Now, I asked you to marry me, but we both know it wasn’t a question.”
A choked laugh replaces my sob. He’s right. This man would drag me in front of a justice of the peace, kicking and screaming. But I want to marry him. This man I love more than I thought it was possible to love another person.
This man, who loves me just the same.
This man, who will be the father of my children.
But I still can’t let him always have the upper hand.
“So, you’re going to force me to marry you?”
“If I have to, yes. Especially now. Our kids won’t be bastards.”
His response is so him, and my heart trips over itself in my chest. Possessive and demanding and always certain of getting what he wants.
“Then it’s a good thing I want to.” I blink away the last remnants of my tears. He slips the ring on my finger, and of course it’s a perfect fit. “Are you sure about the baby?”
He presses another soft kiss to my lips. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”
I rise on my toes to deepen the kiss, pouring all my love and gratitude and overwhelming joy into the connection between us.
A sharp thunk against the back of Damien’s head makes us jolt apart. The entire bouquet of dahlias bounces off his skull and tumbles to the floor, petals scattering everywhere. Ricky sits on the back of the sofa, arms crossed, chittering at us with what can only be described as raccoon profanity.
I burst out laughing at the offended expression on his masked face.
“I think someone’s jealous.”
Damien rubs the back of his head, glaring at the unrepentant raccoon. “Well, he better get used to sharing. There’s a hierarchy in this house, and you’re looking at the alpha.” His arms tighten around me. “And if he doesn’t stop copping feels, I’m turning him into a winter hat.”
I laugh harder, the sound bubbling up from a place of absolute happiness. Everything is perfect. Damien, our baby, and our future together.
“I love you.”
“You’re the love of my life, little doe.”
My breath catches. He tells me he loves me constantly—whispers it, growls it, says it like a prayer. But that phrase, those specific words, he’s kept locked away until now. I can feel the truth of them in my bones, matching the intensity burning in his eyes.
His mouth finds mine again, the kiss soft and reverent, like he’s sealing a promise.
Ricky throws another handful of loose petals at us, not satisfied with his first protest, and I grin against Damien’s lips.
Forever with this man and our growing family, furry and otherwise, sounds like complete perfection to me.
