"No." I shift to look at him. "But my things are already here. Your dresser has my clothes. My toothbrush is in your bathroom. We've been living together by necessity, and now?—"
"Stay." He cups my face. "Not because of the detail. Not because of the case. Just stay."
"Thatcher—"
"I love you. I want you here. In my space, in my life, in my bed." His eyes are serious, intense. "I know it's fast. But I've never been more sure of anything."
I kiss him softly. "I was hoping you'd ask. Yes."
Relief crosses his face. "Good. Tomorrow we'll figure out logistics. Get the rest of what you need."
"Very practical."
"I have my moments."
I settle back against his shoulder, listening to the ocean in the distance, his heartbeat steady beneath my palm.
"What are you thinking?" he asks.
"That this is real. That I get to keep you."
"You're stuck with me now." His arm tightens around me. "Fair warning—I don't share well."
"Good. Neither do I."
We fall asleep like that, tangled together. Tomorrow I'll move the rest of my things. Tomorrow we'll figure out logistics. But tonight I drift off thinking about his team's betting pool, Sullivan's inappropriate toasts, and the way Santos looked at us like we'd finally figured something out.
Outside, waves crash against the shore. Inside, everything has changed.
EPILOGUE
THATCHER
Two Weeks Later
Sunlight wakes me before the alarm. Gwen's still asleep, curled into my side, one leg thrown over mine. Her toothbrush sits in the holder next to mine in the bathroom. Her scrubs hang in my closet alongside my uniforms. Her coffee mug—the dark blue one from her med school graduation—sits in our cabinet.
Two weeks since she officially moved in. What started as protective detail became something real. She's here because she chose this, chose me. And I can't imagine waking up without her anymore.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. It's a text from Rivera.
Final case update. All suspects formally charged. Some equipment recovered. Security protocols implemented. Case officially closed. Good work.
I set the phone down carefully, not wanting to wake her. The investigation that brought us together is done. Garrison's cooperating, Briggs is stonewalling but they have enoughevidence anyway. Nox traced the overseas hacker, Griff cleared the hospital equipment storage. Everything tied up clean.
Her apartment lease ends next week. Everything worth keeping is already here.
She stirs, rolls toward me, eyes still closed. "What time is it?"
"Early. You have rounds at eight."
"Then why are you awake at six?"
"Rivera sent the final case update. It's officially closed."
That gets her eyes open. "Everything?"
"Everything. Suspects charged, evidence processed, security upgraded. We're done."
