My spirit both moaned and danced.
Knew the joy it would bring my mother. Knowing I was with Daisy. That we’d come to this after so much tragedy had been strewn between us.
“That’s good because I’m pretty sure if you tried to leave me, I’d only chase after you.”
“Hmm…kind of makes me want to run just to see what that might look like once you caught up to me.” She’d gone coy. Purely a tease.
A low growl worked its way free, though still, it was laden with affection. “Don’t test me, woman.”
Daisy giggled. “Don’t worry. If I’m running, it’ll just be to our room.”
“Now I like the sound of that.”
“What, me whimpering your name?” Loved when she got bold. When my Little Wallflower knew she didn’t need to be shy.
“That’s right. Way it was always supposed to be.” I paused to find the right words. “I was so scared of what you asked me to do, Daisy. So scared of the thought of caring for your kids. Terrified of it. Now it’s the only thing I want to do. Together, with you.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, then a tender smile filled her face when Colin’s voice rose from downstairs, where he and the rest of the kids were playing with Nolan.
Charleigh and River offering Raven’s old room for us to stay in while Daisy recuperated and we figured out a new place to stay.
“I love them, Daisy, and I love you, and I promise I’m going to spend the rest of my life protecting that.”
“Together,” she whispered.
“That’s right. Together.”
I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips, the word rumbling between us as I moaned, “Bliss. Being with you is nothing but bliss, Daisy Cunningham.”
And we were no longer on the brink of it.
It was here.
Whole and thriving between us.
She held me by both sides of the face, making that kiss go on forever.
Then she pulled away and glanced at the tray I brought up. She hooked me a coy grin.
“Now are you going to share those with me or what?”
A chuckle got free as I reached for the tray and settled it on her lap.
A steaming cup of tea and a box of Red Vines.
I ripped it open and pulled one out, holding it up to her lips. “You are the only person I’ve ever wanted to share these with. Only person I ever wanted to share my life with. Everything I have and everything I am is yours, Little Wallflower.”
She reached out and settled her palm over the thunder at the center of my chest. “No more broken hearts.”
I grabbed her fingers and kissed across the tips. “No more broken hearts.”
EPILOGUES
Daisy
“I bet it’s the coolest and like a castle.”
“Are you excited, Mom?”
