My trembling hands cup his face gently, my thumb catching the tear that rolls down his cheek as he looks up at me like I hung the fucking moon and stars for him and his daughter.
“You’re my home. My family. My Ol Lady.” He holds up the most beautiful ring I’ve ever laid eyes on. Simple. Solid. One single round cut diamond catching the candlelight. “And hopefully my wife. Marry me,” Jules whispers the last part, only loud enough for my ears to hear and yet I feel it like a call to my very soul.
I open my mouth to answer and all that comes out is a laugh, a sound so joyous that I can't believe I made it, before a sob tears out of me. My emotions are bouncing and fizzing inside of me and I can’t quite grasp onto any one thing to help ground me. Not until Jules takes my hand and presses a soft kiss on my wrist, right over the pulse that's beating out of time.
Taking a deep breath I move closer, Jules’ chin resting on my belly as I gaze down at the man I love more than life itself.
“Jules, you didn’t need to ask. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
“Wait, is that a yes?Mi amor,did she say yes?”
I roll my eyes at Jules, who is wiping tears from my cheeks, “Yes, mom, that is a yes.” Whoops and shouts fill the room and I laugh when Jules rises to his full height, wrapping me in his arms.
“I love you, Jules.”
“Love you too. With all of me.”
Chapter 18
Debs
“OK kids, the adults are starting to head home, did you get done all you needed to?”
I look down at the little faces of the Big Littles and roll my lips between my teeth. I love thesetamarikibut damn, they can be mischief.
“Well, we’ve done the flowers, balloons and kitten at Jules’, they should be enjoying that around about now,” Cove starts, Jovie nodding and checking something off her list. “Have we done Savage’s house?”
“Flowers, candles, balloons and cat have been delivered and arranged,” Elio says in his robot voice.
“One sleepy kitten in a fluffy bed has been delivered to Marx’s place too, along with flower petals everywhere and a lot of heart shaped chocolates.”
“A bit tacky for my tastes,” Cove adds in, interrupting Jovie.
“I agree, but what the Prez wants, the Prez gets.” Jovie shrugs.
“Is that everyone who hired you?” I ask, trying not to laugh.
“Nope. All the brothers panicked and needed our help. Only Savage, Marx and Jules paid for the full package.”
I frown. “So what did the others get?”
Jovie and Cove share a look, “Well, they all got flowers. And some of them paid for kittens.”
I blink twice, letting the words register. “Wait, you’ve said ‘kittens’ quite a few times now. Are you talking real kittens, as in real, live, baby cats?”
“What other kittens are there?” Cove asks, because she’s a total smartass.
My hands find their place on my hips as I lean in, “And where did you get all these kittens?”
“We found ‘em,” Cove says, as if it's that easy.
“Their mother had abandoned them,”Jovie butts in. “We’ve helped them all find good homes.”
“Aue, kotiro ma.” I blow out a breath. “Well, if the men paid for it then they must know what they’re getting into, I guess.”
“And we also have signed contracts that have a no returns policy,.” Jovie adds.
I look between her and Cove. “Of course you do.”
