Page 36

“Mine too.”
“If we get through this, I want to do it right. I want to propose to you properly, with a ring and flowers and all the romance you deserve.”
I laughed despite the circumstances. “We’re already married.”
“Then I want to marry you again. Every day for the rest of our lives.”
Before I could respond, David appeared. “They’re ready for us.”
We filed back into the courtroom, and Judge Morrison took his seat with an expression that revealed nothing.
“I’ve reviewed all the evidence and testimony presented today,” he began. “While the circumstances surrounding this marriage are unusual, the court must determine whether the current relationship constitutes a genuine marital bond.”
My heart hammered against my ribs as he continued.
“Marriage is not merely a legal contract but a commitment between two people to build a life together. While the initial motivation for this union may have been influenced by the custody proceedings, the evidence suggests that Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have indeed formed a genuine marital relationship.”
I felt Colby’s hand tighten around mine.
“The motion to declare this marriage fraudulent is denied. This court recognizes the marriage between Colby Marshall and Gianna Marshall as valid and genuine.”
The relief hit me so hard I nearly collapsed. We’d won. Our marriage was real in the eyes of the law because it was real in our hearts.
As people began filing out of the courtroom, I saw Lyla gathering her papers with mechanical precision. Her lawyer was speaking to her in low tones, but she wasn’t listening. She was watching something in the gallery, and when I followed her gaze, I saw what had captured her attention.
Luca had appeared beside my mother, his face bright with relief even though he didn’t fully understand what had just happened. He was bouncing on his toes, excited to see his parents, completely unaware of the legal battle that had just concluded.
“Mom! Dad!” he called out, waving enthusiastically. “Mrs. Kay said you had to go to an important meeting. Are you done now? Can we go home?”
For a moment, Lyla’s composure cracked completely. I saw grief there, and regret, and something that looked like recognition that she’d gambled with her son’s happiness andlost. When Luca noticed her watching and gave her a tentative wave, she managed a smile that seemed to cost her everything.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, her voice carefully controlled. “How was school?”
“Good! We learned about butterflies, and I drew a picture. Want to see?” He dug into his backpack with the unselfconscious enthusiasm of a child who still believed his mother cared about his artwork.
“I’d love to see it,” Lyla said, and for just a moment, she looked like the mother Luca remembered instead of the woman who’d been trying to tear his family apart.
But I knew the real victory wasn’t legal recognition. It was the family we’d built, the love we’d chosen, and the future we were finally free to embrace without fear.
We were going home, all of us, together.
CHAPTER 11
Colby
The December afternoon was crisp and bright as I pulled into the driveway of the house we’d bought together just two weeks ago. It still felt surreal.Ourhouse, with the wraparound porch Gianna had fallen in love with and the big backyard where Luca could play soccer. Moving boxes sat stacked in the living room, but it already felt more like home than anywhere I’d ever lived.
I found Gianna in what would become her home office, hanging curtains and humming softly to herself. She’d taken the afternoon off from the shop to help with the unpacking, and seeing her here in our space, making it ours, made my chest tight with an emotion I was still getting used to.
“Those look good,” I said from the doorway, nodding at the sage green curtains she’d chosen.
She glanced over her shoulder with a smile. “I was hoping you’d approve. I know we haven’t talked about decorating styles.”
“Whatever makes you happy makes me happy.”
“Careful with statements like that. I might redecorate the whole house in florals.”
“I’d learn to love it.”