Xander’s arms are folded, but he’s smiling.
Mikey gives a tiny nod, encouraging.
Taylor’s grin is wide enough to split his face.
Danny’s gaze swings back to me. For a second there’s only silence, then he lets out a shout—pure, joyful, unrestrained…
“Yes!” Danny squeals. “Of course I want that! Yes, yes, yesssssssss!”
The crew erupts. Cheers, whistles, fists pumping the air. Danny launches himself at me, arms wrapping around my neck, legs hooking around my waist as I catch him. He’s laughing, tears streaming, and I’m laughing too, spinning him once before setting him down.
“I love you,” Danny says against my mouth, voice thick. “I love you so much, Daddy.”
The wordDaddyrings out clear in the open air, and if anyone in the crew didn’t already know, they do now.
No one blinks. No one flinches. They just keep cheering.
“I love you too,” I tell him, cupping his face. “Forever, boy. I want us to beforever.”
Danny nods frantically. “Forever. Yes. Please. And that’s Little’s Orders!”
And then we’re kissing—deep, unhurried, right there in the middle of the site with the whole crew watching. His hands fist in my coat, mine tangle in his hair. The world narrows to his mouth, his breath, the way he melts against me like he’s finally home.
When we break apart, breathless, the crew is still roaring.
Then, without warning, they surge forward. Hands grab us—me and Danny both—lifting us high. I’m hoisted onto shoulders, Danny beside me, the two of us bouncing up and down like trophies while the Construction Boys chant Danny & Olivier over and over.
Mikey’s whooping, Taylor’s laughing so hard he almost drops us, Xander’s steady grip keeps me from tumbling. Even Lane’s in on it, grinning like a fool.
We ride the wave of cheers and bounces, Danny’s hand finding mine mid-air, squeezing tight. When they finally set us down—gently, carefully—the crew crowds in for back-slaps, hugs, fist-bumps.
“Welcome to the family, chef,” Xander says, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’re stuck with us now.”
Mikey grins at Danny. “Told you love wins, man.”
Danny’s still crying happy tears, still laughing, still clinging to me like he’s afraid I’ll vanish.
I pull him close again, kiss his temple.
“I’m never letting go,” I murmur. “Notever.”
“Good, because I won’t let you!” Danny trills with joy.
The site’s alive with celebration. For the moment at least, tools are forgotten, work is paused, and the whole crew turns the morning into an impromptu party.
Soon enough, someone cracks open a cooler, passes around cold sodas.
Someone else starts planning a “coast relocation” barbecue.
And through it all, Danny’s hand stays in mine.
Forever.
Chapter 15
Danny
6 MONTHS LATER
