Page 128 of Gray

“You’re squeezing me to death why?” Bellamy tried to wiggle free as Raiden bear-hugged him.

“Because I want some cuddles. And snacks. Feed me.”

“Come on, you gentle giant,” Clara said, grabbing Raiden by the arm and pulling him to his feet. “I’ll make you something to eat.”

“Lemon bars?” he asked, walking after her.

Gray sat on my lap and faced me. He touched my lips. “Did it hurt when I…” His words trailed off, much like his gaze. I knew what he was asking.

“No.” I kissed his fingertips and turned his face back to me. “It made me tired, but that’s all.”

“So you don’t want to call off the wedding now?”

I chuckled and pulled him closer. “Nothing could stop me from marrying you. Not even the apocalypse.”

***

“It really is the end of the world ifyou’regetting married,” Scarlett said over the phone. “All those cute twinks on Grindr will be heartbroken.”

“Shut up,” I said with a laugh. “And it’s not the end of the world.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that. Those angel buds of yours are crazy powerful. Remind me not to piss them off anytime soon.”

Two days had passed since the battle, and although life hadn’t fully returned to normal, it had improved at least. The world had woken the previous morning with no knowledge of the monster attacks. The angels had wiped away all traces of the event, tinkering with mortals’ minds and erasing all evidence, such as mentions of it on the news, online, and anywhere else. The only humans who still remembered were the hunters and those of us who had already been familiar with the supernatural world prior to the attacks.

Though a hazy confusion lingered over everyone, life had mostly picked up where it had left off. Stores reopened their doors, as did restaurants. Kids returned to school, and people commuted to and from work.

“How’s the zombie bite treating you?” I asked.

“Hurts like a bitch, but it’s healing. Your soon-to-be hubby was right. I didn’t turn into a brain-eater.” She sighed. “You know me, Hawk. I’m not one to get mushy and shit. But I’m happy for you. Seriously. With everything as screwed up as it is, you have to find happiness where you can. If I wasn’t so far away, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

“I know. Storm said something similar. It’s going to be a small gathering though, nothing huge.” There hadn’t been time to make it a huge affair. Marrying Gray was all I needed anyway. I didn’t need anything fancy.

I just needed him.

“I demand pictures,” she said.

“You got it.” From the window, I had a view of the backyard, where Alastair was putting together a small altar. My heart clenched at the same time butterflies rolled in my stomach. I was both excited and nervous. “I gotta go, Scar. Stay safe out there.”

“You too. And congratulations.”

“Thanks.” I smiled. “Later.”

After disconnecting the call, I stepped into the adjoining bathroom and checked myself out in the mirror. Bellamy had trimmed my hair earlier that morning, buzzing the sides and leaving the top longer. But it wasn’t my haircut that had me looking closer at my reflection.

It was my eyes. Life had returned to them, and they looked brighter. Not as empty.

I used to hate looking at myself. Every time I had, I’d seen a man who had let his men die, and I’d hated myself because of it. I didn’t feel that way now. Those memories still hurt, but they no longer crippled me.

I was dealing with it. Working through it. Finally moving forward.

“Sloth incoming,” my favorite voice in the world said before Gray rounded the corner into the bathroom. “There you are.”

My heart stopped when I saw him. His blond hair had been straightened, and his bangs swooped across his forehead. He wore a collared blue button-up shirt with a black bow tie and skinny jeans. I’d never seen him so dressed up.

“You look amazing,” I said, pulling him close.

“I don’t look weird?”