"He makes it easy."
“Still, you didn't have to.This is a lot and happening really fast."
"I know."
"And you're still here."
"I'm still here."
She's quiet for a moment."I slept well last night.I slept the whole night without waking up scared."
"Good."
"Because of you."
"Because you're safe now."
"Because you're here."She takes my hand.Threads our fingers together."I meant what I said last night.About wanting a future with you."
My throat tightens."Yeah?"
"Yeah.And I know it's fast.I know we're still figuring things out.But I want you to know, I'm not going anywhere either."
I turn to face her properly and cup her face with my free hand."I'm not good at this.At relationships, family, or anything normal.”
"Neither am I.So we figure it out together."
"I killed a man, Enya.For you.And I don't regret it.But that’s who I am.That's what I'm capable of."
"I know and I'm grateful.Not for the violence, but for the protection.For the choice you made to keep me safe."She leans into my touch."You're not a monster, Devin.You're someone who protects the people you care about.There's a difference."
I want to believe her.Want to trust that she sees me clearly and still chooses this.
"What if Warren finds out?When he's older?What if he?—"
"Then we tell him the truth.Age-appropriate truth.That you protected us from someone dangerous.That you kept us safe."She holds my gaze."And we make sure he grows up knowing the difference between violence for power and violence for protection."
I nod slowly.I can’t speak yet.
She kisses me, soft, gentle, and full of promise.
When she pulls back, she says, "I believe in you.In us.And that's enough for now."
"Yeah.Okay."
We sit there, just holding each other.Letting the moment settle.
Then there's a knock at the door, loud and sharp.
Enya tenses.I feel it immediately, her whole body going rigid.
"It's alright," I say quietly."I'll check."
I move to the door and look through the peephole.An older woman, with gray hair, holding a bag.
Mary.
I open the door."Morning."
