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We grab dinner on the way home to my townhouse, which Jason picks at before practically falling asleep at the table. He gets ready for bed early, and the three of us pile onto his twin bed to read half a chapter of our Harry Potter book before we say goodnight.

Once Jason is asleep, I change out of my dress and into a matching sweatsuit, needing every tangible form of comfort available.

Griffin’s still dressed up, although he’s unbuttoned the top buttons of his dress shirt by the time I join him on the couch—a fact I’m not sad about.

I trace the line of his collar bone as I sit snuggled under the crook of his arm, my legs draped over his.

“Thanks for rescuing me today,” I say.

“Apparently, you lived a different day than I did, because I did not rescue you. You needed no rescuing,” he says, tilting my chin to look at him.

“Okay. But thank you for being here today. Thanks for missing a game so you could come,” I respond, eyes already swimming with tears.

“I know I was going for the surprise factor, but did you honestly think that I could miss out on such a huge day for you and Jason?” Griffin asks. He grins wryly as he adds, “Not to mention Sam. She’d never miss this either.”

“Fair point,” I say with a giggle. Withdrawing myself from Griffin’s side, I sit on my knees next to him, taking his hands in mine.

“I’m not sure about this body language,” he says, sounding concerned. “This seems like a backward step from your legs draped over mine and your fingertips on my skin.”

“I need to look at your face when I tell you this,” I say.

“You’re not helping,” he says.

“Sorry, I should have led with ‘nothing’s wrong,’” I tease, and that finally cracks a genuine smile out of him.

“Or, maybe it would be more accurate to say there were some things wrong, and there probably always will be some things wrong, but I’m choosing to not be afraid to have things be wrong sometimes. ”

“You’ve lost me,” Griffin says, and I cover my face with my hands. He’s quick to grab my wrists and pull my hands down. “Nope, don’t do that. Let me see those beautiful eyes, no matter what it is you’re going to tell me. ”

The look on his face is so tender, so real, so open—I can’t believe I let myself consider turning away from this love.

“You’re safe for me,” I say. Griffin’s eyes squint slightly as he computes what I’m trying to say. I shake my head and start over. “Your mom encouraged me to start seeing a therapist for myself, separate from Jason, and talking with her has made me realize some things.”

He gives my hands a gentle squeeze, and I take a deep breath.

“I grew up feeling like I didn’t have a safe place.

Home was not safe for me. School wasn’t safe.

When Jason moved in, I was being the safe place for this precious little boy.

And it was a lot, even though I didn’t fully realize how overwhelming it was going to be.

Then, suddenly, I had you. And you quickly became very, very safe for me.

You proved yourself trustworthy far more quickly than I’ve ever trusted someone before.

You felt like the safe home I never had, even if I couldn't consciously name that feeling. But logically, it didn’t make sense for you to be safe because your schedule is so unreliable.

On paper, a life with you doesn’t appear secure.

So, my brain was trying to sabotage me into pushing you away because I was afraid to lose my safe place. ”

Griffin’s expression has slowly softened as I’ve explained, and I’m sorely tempted to stop explaining and start kissing him. But this isn’t the totality of the thought factory. He deserves all the thoughts.

“I love you. For all of you. Including Griffin West, Wizard of Defense. I want you to keep playing this game you love for however long you want to play it. I will find a way to manage when you’re traveling or playing games twelve days in a row during the school year.

And I will travel with you during the summer and come to every home game that I can because it will mean being close to you and supporting you, and I’m with you one hundred percent.

You’re safe for me, and I don’t want to lose you,” I say, my voice cracking on the final phrase.

Griffin moves to embrace me, pulling me tight against his chest. I tuck my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. Grounding myself in the safety of his arms, his scent further soothes me with each new breath.

After a few seconds, Griffin’s arms loosen as he pulls back to look in my eyes again .

“I love you, Danae. As I’ve gotten to know you over these past few months, I’ve grown to love you for so many reasons.

But as my sassy but wise younger sister assessed, my heart was drawn to you before I ever knew all there is to love about you.

And that’s because when we talked, I wasn’t the Wizard to you.

You could see me in a way that most people never do—in a way that I didn’t consciously know I needed.

You’re my safe place too. And that’s one of the many reasons I love you so much. ”

He pauses to press a gentle kiss to my lips but then continues.

“I’m not naive to think it’s going to be smooth sailing from here.

We’re still going to face challenges. With my career, with Jason, with your parents, with everyday life and conflict.

But I’m committed to working through those challenges with you.

Committed to protecting our relationship, our safe place together. ”

Tears have gathered in my eyes again, and I quickly wipe them away. Raising one hand to Griffin’s jaw, I skim my thumb along his beard. “Safe together,” I murmur.

Griffin swiftly pulls me onto his lap and kisses me with authority, with finality, with determination. He sprinkles verbal affirmations of his love between his kisses to my lips, my neck, my jaw, my forehead, my lips again.

And these kisses feel like forever.