Page 56 of A Convenient Secret (Merged #3)

Lily

Saar

So you’re officially Mrs. Quinn, @Lily.

Celeste

So are you, by the way.

We’re related now, aren’t we? All three of us.

Celeste

Best family ever.

Cora

Should I leave the chat?

Saar

We love you.

Celeste

Don’t you dare.

I miss you so much.

“Daddy, I don’t want to go to school tommowow.” Zoya bounces on our bed.

Declan groans. “Tomorrow is Sunday. What time is it, Zoya?”

“Don’t know, but Zach says it’s five hours later than in New Yowk.” She climbs between us.

“That means it’s still early,” Declan says, making no sense.

I open my eyes, smiling at her sleepily. “Good morning, sweet girl.” I kiss her shoulder.

Fuck, I’m tired. Between work, moving, and sharing a bedroom with Declan, I don’t think I’ve slept for more than four hours a night in weeks. I’ve loved every moment of it.

“Why can Lily sleep with you and I can’t?”

Oh shit.

Declan scrambles to sit, running a hand down his face. “Because this is mine and Lily’s bedroom, and it’s an adult-only bed.”

“But I’m hewe now.” She snuggles up to him.

“Yes, you are.” Declan sighs. “Why don’t you go downstairs and have some juice? I’ll be right there to make your breakfast.” He kisses her forehead. “Is Zach up?”

“Yes, he’s building something. ”

“Okay, if you don’t come in here for the next ten minutes, I will make you waffles.”

“Yummy.” She sprints from the room.

“Good morning, Mrs. Quinn.” Declan throws the covers off and pounces on top of me.

“Good morning, husband.” I stretch languidly, his body a delicious weight on mine.

“We have ten minutes.” He thrusts his hips.

“Are you crazy? I’m not having sex with you when they’re up and can come in any minute. I’m already on the edge at night.”

“Welcome to parenthood.” He kisses me, his hands finding my breast.

I moan into his mouth. “Stop it. You know how hard it is to be quiet?”

“I do know.” He smirks. “Don’t worry, they start school on Monday, and we will have a day-sex marathon.”

“A day-sex marathon? How does that fit your work ethic?” I wrap my arms around his neck.

“I’m the boss, and so are you, so let’s make the rules.” He rolls us around so I’m on top of him. Swiping my hair from my face, he smiles at me. “I never thought I would find happiness again.”

“I love you.”

“Correction, actually: I never knew happiness like this exists. ”

“Daddy,” Zoya yells from downstairs.

“They are kissing again,” Zach responds, and I giggle into Declan’s chest.

“Fuck, I guess it’s waffles time,” he groans.

The sun filters through the trees, casting golden light over the park. The air is crisp but not cold, the kind of perfect London day that makes everything feel soft and unhurried.

Zoya and Zach run ahead, their laughter bright and carefree as they chase each other toward the Round Pond, their giggles mixing with the distant sounds of ducks splashing.

Declan’s hand is warm, his fingers lacing through mine. Weeks later, and these quiet moments still feel surreal to me.

“Have you decided what to do about Tim?” Declan asks. He’s been impatiently patient about the topic.

“I spoke to my father and the lawyers.”

“And?”

“And he will be dealt with.”

“Publicly, legally?”

“He won’t be a threat to us anymore. Or to the company. ”

Declan makes a clicking sound of displeasure. “I should have dealt with him myself,” he mumbles.

“Thank you.” I turn to kiss him.

“For what?”

“For allowing me to take my time and fix it myself. For providing me with the evidence, and for protecting me while giving me the space to stand up for myself.”

He grunts like he isn’t happy with the situation, but hugs me tighter, which makes me smile. We’re a work in progress. But we’re together.

“Can we find whewe the pwincess lives?” Zoya shouts.

I wave at her. “Okay, this way.”

“I can’t believe I was worried about them adapting to a new place.” Declan abandons the former topic.

“I think their home is where you are.” I look at him sideways. “How are you adapting?”

I know I have nothing to fear, but I still wonder if him moving so fast won’t put a strain on our relationship.

“My home is where you and the kids are. And I didn’t realize how much I love starting something new.”

I scoot closer, leaning my head against his shoulder.

“It doesn’t look like a castle.” Zoya wrinkles her nose, assessing the Kensington royal residence skeptically .

“This is her city residence; they have castles, don’t worry.” I chuckle. “But if you’re ready to have hot chocolate and scones, we can go to the Orangery where queens used to hold their parties.”

“Yes.” She claps.

“For real?” Zach frowns.

I nod, and we head over to the Orangery when one of our bodyguards approaches. “Sir, Ma’am, reporters are ahead of us. Probably not for you, but I wanted you to be aware.”

“Thank you,” Declan says as we turn the corner.

We put our heads down, huddling the kids against us as our two security guards escort us to the entrance.

Relieved we’re getting in undetected, I look up, and immediately there is a mic in my face. “Can you comment on the arrest of your cousin Timothy, Ms. Spinelli?”

Declan freezes, pushing the kids toward the entrance and snatching my hand. But I don’t move.

“Actually, it’s Mrs. Quinn, and that’s the only comment you get.” I smile and turn away. Amid blinding flashes and shouted questions, I lead my family inside.

“He got arrested?” Declan whispers as we wait for the hostess.

“Apparently.” I grin .

“I thought we said no secrets.” Declan narrows his eyes.

“This wasn’t a secret; it was a surprise. But we can talk about that later. Let’s enjoy the family time.”

We are ushered to a secluded table, and Declan orders way too many cakes for the kids.

“Is Lily ouw mommy now?” Zoya takes a huge bite of her scone.

My heart stumbles, and I glance at Declan, but his gaze is locked on his daughter, his expression soft.

“Lily is my wife, and that makes her your stepmom. Is that okay with you?”

Before she can answer, Zach’s sharp voice cuts through. “What if our real mom comes back?”

“I don’t want Lily to leave.” Zoya’s eyes dart between the two of us.

“My point exactly.” Zach deadpans.

“Oh,” Declan utters, looking stunned.

The baggage this family carries; the fear that has been buried beneath their excitement over new adventures, new homes, new routines; the fear that all of this—the safety, the love, the family—can be taken away.

I swallow against the burn in my throat. “Oh, baby. Come here.”

Zoya launches herself into my arms, and I hold her tight. Zach hesitates, but after a second he presses into my side, silent but seeking reassurance .

Declan wipes the corners of his mouth and drops his napkin. “Lily is my wife. That means she’s part of our family forever. She’s not going anywhere.”

I nod, pressing a kiss to Zoya’s temple. “No matter what happens, I will always be here. I love you both so much.”

Zoya sniffs against my shoulder, her small fingers gripping my coat. “But ouw weal mom—”

Declan’s voice turns firm, but still very kind. “Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Neither of you. Lily chose us. And we choose her.”

Zach’s shoulders relax slightly, his expression contemplative. He looks up at me, assessing, as if testing the weight of Declan’s words. “Promise?”

I cup his cheek, my heart cracking a little at the seriousness in his eyes. “Promise.”

Zoya wipes her nose, then asks with all the confidence of a six-year-old, “So we can call you Mommy now?”

I blink. Declan chokes on a breath beside me.

Zach groans like his sister just ruined the moment. “You don’t have to call her that, Zoya.”

She shrugs, turning back to her scone like we didn’t just have a life-changing conversation. “I’m gonna twy it out.”

Declan huffs a quiet laugh, wrapping an arm around me, pressing his lips to the side of my head. “You okay?”

I exhale, warmth spreading through my chest. “I think I just got promoted.”

“I think I like the carrot cake the most,” Zoya says, fluidly moving to another topic.

“Me, too.” Declan scoops up a bite from the plate in the middle of the table.

“Wait a minute.” Zach turns to his sister. “Say it again.”

She frowns. “I like carrot cake.” Her eyes widen. “Carrot. Carrot.”

“Zoya, say perfect.” I practically bounce in my chair.

“Perrrrfect.” She smiles proudly, her R sharp.

“Well done, sweetheart. Let’s order more carrot cake.” Declan leans into me, his breath tickling my ear. “With you, Seagull, everything is perrrrfect.”

“How is it that you’re married and we never went to a wedding?” Zoya asks, and I tense while Declan clears his throat.

“We only had a small ceremony at the courthouse,” I say quickly, heat spreading through my cheeks.

“Courthouse?” Zach frowns. “Like criminals?” He looks at us, unimpressed.

“Zach,” Declan warns, but then he smiles at his son. “Actually, you’re right, Lily deserves better. ”

My heart stutters. “I got the three of you, and that’s the best.”

Declan takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “But you also deserve a large wedding.”

“Can I be a flower girl?” Zoya claps her hands.

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I find Declan’s gaze. It’s like finding your true home. The love. The admiration. The pride. I love this man so much.

“What do you say, Mrs. Quinn?” He squeezes my hand.

“I think Zoya will be the most adorable flower girl.” I grin.

“Is that so?” he grumbles, his eyebrows furrowing.

“Well, yes, and that is fortunate, because I always wanted a big wedding.”

Zoya claps, and even Zach makes a sound that may be a cheer—masked with a grunt.

Declan leans in, his breath fanning my ear. “And you shall have everything you ever wanted, Seagull.”

Thank you for reading Declan & Lily’s story .

Someone will turn Xander Stone into a one-woman man… eventually.

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