Page 92 of Honorable Sins

Fitz lounges in a beanbag chair, close by but separate. A pang twinges in my heart, remembering when he was little and wanted to be part of the cuddle.

But then he smiles at me over his shoulder before starting Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July and the pang disappears. He's such a good kid. And he still is a kid, despite what happened yesterday.

We're not ten minutes into the movie before Mick has my hand clasped in his. His thumb brushes across my knuckles.

Fitz glances over, his gaze zeroing in our joined hands. "You're always holding Mom's hand."

Mick gives Fitz a nod. "Can't help it, boyo."

"Why not?"

"I love your mam."

Fitz makes a face. "I guess it's okay."

"High praise."

"Don't get used to it."

Mick grins.

By the time the movie's half over, Mavie is asleep with her head in my lap. Thirty minutes later, Cormac's head droops onto Mick's chest. My husband shifts him automatically, settling our son more comfortably without waking him.

I glance toward Mick.

He's already looking at me and my heart does that little squeeze it still does after all these years.

His mouth moves silently. "I love you."

"I love you too," I mouth back.

"I saw that." Fitz's voice cuts through the moment. "You two are so cringe."

The words are typical preteen sarcasm, the look on Fitz's averted face is something else.

Satisfaction.

We all needed this night, me probably the most.

Mick and I built this family so different to the one I grew up in together. Through love, loyalty, and more than a little stubbornness. And we'll both do whatever we have to in order to protect it.

Even if it means killing my dad's cousin with his approval.

When the credits begin rolling, Sorcha and Fitz are still awake, but both are yawning. There are no bedtime stories read tonight as we tuck the children into bed.

"No staying up texting," I warn Fitz as I let Mick pull me toward our bedroom.

Our son acknowledges my words with a wave of his hand.

When we reach our bedroom, my gaze drifts toward my nightstand. Toward the drawer hiding the gift waiting for July 25th.

A gift that is going to rock both our worlds. Anticipation hums through me.

I want to give my husband his fantasy and claim something for myself, rewrite a painful piece of our past. I'm ready. I trust Mick with all of me.

And I'm going to show him that on the night of the 25th.

Chapter twenty-one