“That’s because my sister is the best,” Connor gushes.
Tears press at the back of my eyes yet again. Oak’s eyes meet mine across the holding area and I have never seen them shine so brightly. There’s something in there that never was hope. “Yeah,” he agrees gruffly, looking directly at me, “she is.”
Oak beckons me over with a crook of his finger and a come hither stare. And I don’t walk, I run to him.
He catches me in his arms, as he always will, and holds me close. I bury my face in the crook of his neck as he presses kisses to the top of my head.
Framing his face in my hands I tilt my head back to look at him. And I don’t think I’ll ever get used to his beauty. He always makes my heart race.
“How does it feel, baby, to win the battle you’ve been fighting for so long?”
I press a soft kiss to his lips. “The battlewewon,” I correct him.
He smiles against my mouth. “My Grace,” he muses, “my fighter for life.”
My fingers then tangle in the ends of his hair. “Shield and sword, remember?”
“How can I ever forget?” He presses a hard yet tender kiss to my lips. Before we can get too lost in each other we hear the clearing of a throat.
My face immediately reddens as we break apart. Refusing to put me down Oak turns with me in his arms.
Nico watches the both of us with amusement. “You might want to celebrate at a later time.” His eyes then glance at Connor. Then, he waves his finger around the place, reminding us of where we are.
As if I couldn’t get any redder my blush deepens, I feel it travel down to my chest. Unhooking myself from Oak, of which he allows, I send Nico a shy smile.
“You’ll send me the bill later?”
Nico scoffs. He places his hand over his heart, feigning to be wounded. “I can’t believe you just asked me that. Seriously, Oak, I’m highly offended.”
Oak, well past his antics only shakes his head. “Nico.”
“Pro bono, Oak,” he answers with finality.
Oak nods his head in response.
“Thank you,” I say again, gratitude swallowing me whole.
He sighs playfully. “What did I say, Grace? Friends. We. Are. Friends,” he repeats slowly. “Always glad to help.” He winks at me and I hear Oak grumble.
My beautiful possessive caveman.
I pat his chest. “Down now, big guy. He means no harm,” I say teasingly which only earns me a grunt that makes me laugh.
Oak throws his arm over my shoulder and throws his other one over Connor.
And it’s the feeling of unity that makes my heart feel as if it’s going to fucking burst.
Because now it feels permanent. Connor and I have found somewhere we belong. We found our own family. A brighter future.
“Want ice cream, champ? Your disgustingly favorite mint chocolate chip?” Oak asks as he ushers the both of us out of the courthouse.
Connor sticks his tongue out at him. “You only hate it because you have horrible taste.”
Oak winks at me with a salacious smirk. “I have exceptional taste. Matter of fact I can still taste my favorite sweet on my tongue.”Oh my fucking God. No he did not.“Can’t wait for seconds.”
“What flavor is that?” Connor asks innocently while I’m going up in flames.
“Honey,” Oak answers and I damn near drop my jaw to the ground.
