"Call it whatever you want, intuition maybe, but for some reason I just felt that a breakthrough was coming. For us. The era of peace! That’s probably why I couldn’t fully panic these past few days. I’ve been walking around with this strange certainty that everything would be okay."
I set him back on the floor.
"And you were right! It will be. It’s all over, all that damn fear. And my accounts? Ennio will give them back, I’m sure of it. We won’t need a loan from Blue. We’ll be able to buy one of those houses and live in that Follow-Up village."
Salt exhales sharply. I see huge relief and joy on his face, so strong that he presses his hands to his flushed cheeks.
"You know what the best part is? I didn’t want to tell you before, not to put pressure on you, but Senu’s house is only ten minutes away by car from that village. Do you get it? That close! I was quietly hoping for this miracle, and it actually has happened."
I notice two tears on his face. I quickly wipe them away, but soon more follow, so I kiss those away too and pull him close.
"Amuri miu, dai…"(C'mon, my love...)
I realize that even though he said he wasn’t that worried, this is a huge relief for him too. The knowledge that our future might suddenly become simply good, safe, and normal for our growing family is abigdeal.
"I adore you, Salt. It was killing me that I couldn’t give you a safe life. But fate finally said enough with kicking me in the ass."
"True. Fate’s finally done beating the shit out of us."
We burst out laughing together, grinning like idiots, jumping and dancing in that tiny room.
My twenty-first birthday is a few days away, and I cannot imagine a better birthday gift.
Freedom. Safety. Love.
At last.
EPILOGUE
SALT
Our first son is born in a tiny hospital built on the grounds of BA Follow-Up, in the village called Union. That is its official name. More than 150 couples already live there now, and the number keeps growing.
Four months ago, we had quite a surprise when Bashir and Fred moved just a few houses down from us, and a month later, Roman and Evan followed.
A miracle happened in their lives too, and both got pregnant. They’re incredibly happy, and we spend a lot of time together, our friendship flourishing.
Bashir and Jordan are staying home for now so it’s not too crowded. Roman has the flu, so he’s not here, but Eliano, Fred, and Senu are. They’re gathered by the hospital crib where our tiny newborn son lies, still without a name.
Yes, without one!
Because we have a list of forty names and cannot choose a single one, dammit.
"He looks so much like his father," Fred says, glancing at Eliano, but Senu immediately protests. His own belly is so swollen he looks like he could give birth at any moment himself.
"And I think he takes after Salt," he says, sending me a warm look.
"I would really hope so," Eliano offers with a smile, his eyes fixed on our little one. "He will be a looker."
I watch my wonderful alpha from the bed, my eyes half closed.
"He’s a newborn. Everything can still change," I say, amused.
Senu lifts the baby, kisses his forehead, and pulls him close. Fred peers over his shoulder with a smile.
"My first nephew," Senu says proudly, then looks back at me.
We exchange a knowing smile.
