“I love you,” I say, and she melts, her eyes racing between mine. I admit, “I’m scared I’m going to lose you,” and she frowns and opens her mouth but I don’t stop, “Every single day, you have buried yourself deep inside me, you’ve become the reason why I breathe and I know this is scary. I know you didn’t expect a relationship, or being pushed by a seven year old to meet his father, the same seven year old who really wanted his Auntie Rose with his Uncle Stone and tried to push their relationship,” I hear a snort, most likely Stone and I admit, “But fuck, I am so glad Caleb was relentless, because he brought you into my life, he brought Lyra into my life, making me a father of two instead of one.”
Tears pour down Hol’s cheeks as her gaze rivets between mine. I choke out, “I want to spend every day with you, Hol.” I set the cut on her lap, my hands shaking, and the brothers’ wives sob around us which I barely notice, focused only on her as I offer the ring—her gasp is all I hear.
“I want you to be my old lady,” I admit, “I want to claim you in the eyes of the club but I also want you as my wife, I want you to have my last name and I want you to adopt Caleb,” she lets out a small sob, “and I want to adopt Lyra, to give her my last name and when you are ready, I want to give you all the kids you’ll allow me to have with you,” I swallow hard and grab her ring finger and ever so slowly, I push the ring on and I murmur, “I want forever with you but not in a few months, or when you’ve had time to change your mind, but now, I want forever now.” I look at my girl and cup her cheek, her eyes still on me despite the ring I’ve just pushed onto her finger, and I practically plead, “Marry me, today, let me make us a family, please?”
I hold my breath, heart pounding, and wait for her answer.
I spoke to her dad this morning, who calls her daily, helping her build the trust he broke, and he gave me his blessing. As we speak, he is at the courthouse waiting for us, along with Matty, her Uncle Mathew, and her mother, which, I’m not sure how Hol will take to that, but Philip swore she’d be on her best behavior.
Apparently, she’s never gotten over her daughter choosing her unborn child over her, and Hol getting an inheritance. Matty explained that Hol gave him a big chunk and put the rest in a trust for Lyra, Caleb – which I was in awe over – and any future kids we may have—and yes, I said we.
“Tell me one thing first,” she whispers into the quiet room, everyone holding their breath knowing I’ll just get Judge Jones to sign the paperwork if need be, but I really don’t want to piss my girl off that way.
“Anything,” I croak, my heart pounding.
“Did you scrap my shit box?” she asks, and I smile widely, not shocked that she noticed the new truck on the driveway instead of her car that we got the prospects to pick up after that day.
“No,” I admit, “I know the sentimental value, so I put it in the club's storage.”
“I love you,” she breathes, and I hold back a sob as she whispers, “Of course I will marry you.”
The club cheers loudly, and I slam my lips against hers, making her giggle as little arms wrap around us, and fuck me, this isn’t the life I wanted, but I’m so goddamn glad I have it.
“You wouldn’t have given me a choice, would you, if I said no?” she asks against my lips as our kids hug us, and I grin back, making her giggle again.
Yep, I fucking love my life.
Chapter 30
Holly – Five Months Later
I look over my lesson plan for tomorrow, my brows scrunched at the work the substitute teacher had done, and a scowl forms, and frustration builds.
They’ve already done this work.
Dammit.
Five months off for a gunshot wound, and the sub for the last two months of the school year just repeated lessons, likely confusing the kids.
It’s the first day back at school, and already, I’ve got a ton of work to do, no thanks to Mr. Hape, a man even the school hates to bring in because he’s lazy, pure and simple, and they didn’t have a choice but to bring him in.
Mrs. Jones is dead, and I wasn’t able to teach, not with a gunshot wound and a daughter who screamed for hours a night with nightmares.
I sigh, running my hand down my face as I try to regroup.
The kids are currently outside for their morning break, and I was supposed to be going over what we’ll be doing this term, but now we’re behind, no thanks to that jackass who doesn't give a shit about his job.
Maybe I could get my husband involved? The thought, though fleeting, almost makes me smile despite the stress.
I blink, then blink again, before looking at my left hand.
***
“Do you, Holly Marie Robins, take Alex Scott Lee as your lawful husband?” Judge Jones asks, and I grin wide as I grip Alex’s hand, who smiles wide back at me.
***
Damn, I cannot believe I got married. We haven’t even been together for six months, and yet, here we are.
