My attention turns to the row behind my family, where some of our employees sit. “Moonlight has been successful because the team of people we have on our staff are some of the leading specialists in the country, if not the world. Thank you, Faye, for helping me to recruit the best because our residents deserve the best care.” I smile at Kyler’s wife and Keanu’s cousin before my gaze skims over my employees. “Some of our team are here tonight though most could not attend as they are working. I would like to ask you all to stand, please.” I direct my request to the team of fifteen staff members in the second row.
Slowly, they rise, and a new surge of pride flows through my veins. “These people, ladies and gentlemen, are the true recipients of this award. These men and women work tirelessly, day after day, giving way more than their contracted hours, because they are compassionate, selfless people who live for others.” My family begins clapping as I join in, and then the whole room acknowledges my team. My heart is so full it feels like it might burst.
After the applause has died, I nod, and my staff reclaims their seats. I take a sip of my water as I prepare to bring my speech to a close. “Lastly, I want to thank every resident who has walked through the gates of Moonlight. Thank you for trusting us to help you with your healing process. Thank you for never giving up. For consistently fighting to reclaim the life that was stolen from you. Because of you, I will never stop fighting for justice for survivors of abuse. Every day, you all make me proud. You are the reason I do this, the reason I will continue to do this, and the reason I will fight tooth and nail to bring more awareness to this very serious issue. Every child deserves to have a childhood full of laughter and innocence and love. No child should have to endure the things we endured.”
Wetting my lips, I look up, skimming my gaze over the audience. “The things that happened to me could have broken me permanently. I am fortunate because I had people who loved me and encouraged me to work through my pain and my feelings to find myself again. No survivor of abuse will ever be the same. The experiences we have faced transform us in ways we can’t always change, but I am living proof it is possible to suffer horrific abuse and come out the other side. Changed but stronger. I want to ensure every survivor gets the opportunity to heal the way I did. At its core, that is what Moonlightis about. It’s a sanctuary, a safe haven, and a place where survivors can rediscover themselves in a protective environment.”
I lift the cup up beside me, resting it on the edge of the podium. “This award, and the accompanying acknowledgement, will help to ensure the work we have started gets to continue. From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of all abuse survivors, thank you.”
2
KEANU
Ithrust inside my wife, stroking her tight walls with my cock, as I leisurely glide in and out of her pussy. “I love you,” I say before leaning down to kiss her. I must have told her a hundred times in the past twenty-four hours. I am so proud of her, and I don’t think I have ever loved her as much as I do right now. Which says a lot, because the love I have for the woman moaning and writhing underneath me in our bed is immeasurable and never ending.
“I’m living my best life with you.” Sel grabs my face and kisses me fiercely as I pick up my pace and rock into her a little harder. “And it’s only getting better.”
We exchange an excited smile, and I go still inside her, taking a moment to appreciate her and everything she has given me. “How did I get this lucky?” I dot soft kisses all over her face. “How is it I love you more and more every day?”
“How is it you’ve stopped moving?” My wife arches a brow, and I chuckle. Selena is this perfect combination of innocent angel and devilish minx. Her long white-blonde hair fans out around her on the pillow as she arches her hips, urging me to move.
“I want to memorize this moment. To add it to the others I have stored up here.” I tap my temple. “I have hundreds of perfect moments captured, and I want thousands more with you.”
Tears prick her eyes as her fingers move to my face, tracing over the soft stubble on my chin and cheeks. “Always so poetic. I love you for eternity, Keanu, but if you don’t start moving—”
I cut her off with a passionate kiss as I finish making love to her, bringing us both over the edge quickly when I realize the time.
* * *
“The woman of the hour is finally here,” Mom says, opening the door to us, a couple of hours later, when we arrive at my parents’ house.
“Sorry we’re a little late,” I say, handing her a large bouquet of red and yellow roses.
“Thank you, sweetie, and it’s fine. I know you must both be exhausted after yesterday.” Mom places the flowers on the hall table behind her.
“Thank you so much for everything you have done to help me and for hosting dinner today,” Selena says, looking tired but happy. It’s been a busy, stressful few weeks, but she never complains. The MC was right last night. She’s such an inspiration, and I’m so freaking lucky to call her mine.
Mom envelops Selena in a warm embrace. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”
I chuckle because Sel must have heard that a thousand times yesterday. My family was all super emotional listening to my wife’s heartfelt speech. I love how much they love her and vice versa. We may have had our moments in the past, but our family is close. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my brothers, their spouses, or their kids, my parents too, and I know I can always count on them as well. Family is everything, and they are going to be thrilled when they hear our news—both announcements.
“Hey, Keanu. Selena,” Hewson says, arriving in the grand hallway of my parents’ lavish home. He’s my eldest nephew, and I can’t believe he turned sixteen in May. He towers over all of us except for Kaden who still has an inch on him. “Grandma, Gramps is looking for you. He can’t find the champagne glasses or something.”
Mom rolls her eyes. “I swear I can’t leave him alone for a minute. He’d be useless without me.”
“He was,” I say, remembering the years my parents were separated and living in different houses. Thank God, they were able to repair their relationship and to emerge even stronger than before. “He doesn’t exist well without you.”
“Aw.” Mom clasps my cheeks, like I’m five. “I used to think Keaton was my sweetest child, but I think you’ve claimed the crown.”
“He can keep it,” I say, winking at Hewson as I sling my arm around my wife’s shoulders. “No man in his thirties likes to be called sweet.”
“Or a child,” Hewson adds, looping his arm through Mom’s and giving her a pointed look. I know my nephew thinks he’s a man because he sure as fuck looks like one and he’s sixteen, an age when most teen boys are at their cockiest. Most of us were. The truth is, you have got no clue at sixteen. Hewson is at that in-between stage—a kid becoming a man, one who is trying to figure out his place in the world. He’s a good kid, even if Kal and Lana are dealing with teenage hormones and a sizable attitude. Apart from partying—which none of us can criticize seeing as we were doing the exact same at his age—he hasn’t caused them any trouble.
It could be a lot worse.
“I don’t want you to grow up.” Mom pouts, smushing his cheeks together. “You are all growing up too fast. Slow down.” She tweaks his nose before pressing a kiss to his cheek.
Mom adores her grandchildren, all fourteen of them. Sixteen, if you count Rachel and Brad’s two, which Mom does. But Hewson occupies a special place in her heart because he was the first. Not that she’d ever admit that. Mom wouldn’t want any of the kids to feel any more or less special, but I can tell.
