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“Can we get married right away?” Molly asked a few days later as they watched the sun set from the porch swing at his house.

She couldn’t think of any reason to wait and she was eager to be a family. Caldwell had arrested Clinton. Knox had found the truck he’d used in the collision in a rundown garage on an abandoned lot just across the bridge to Charleston. Photos and messages had been found on the cell phone he’d left at his motel room. According to Jess, the man was singing like a canary about the whole operation.

“I don’t mean to push,” Molly continued. “It’s just so wonderful to be happy and I want to celebrate that with everyone.” It was silly, most of the town would never know all the details of their ordeal. Still, she felt the need to include as many people in her joy as possible.

“You just want to move into my place and redecorate.”

They both knew that was the last thing on her mind. “A definite perk,” she teased.

The wind glided through the marsh grass and the swing swayed gently with little effort from Miles.

He pulled her closer. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to wait. Just a little while. A few months maybe.”

For a moment a swell of old doubts washed over her, but she shoved them aside. She wasn’t an awkward teenager looking for her path. She was strong and confident and a good mom. A good mom who somehow managed to find the man perfect for her. And her son.

The days of doubt were gone. She knew he loved her, so there had to be a good reason behind his request.

“Would you care to elaborate?” she asked.

“When we get married, I’d like us to be a real family. I want to adopt Bryce as my own. If you don’t have any objections.”

Overwhelmed, a bit awestruck at how like-minded they were, she rested her hand on his chest. His heart pounded under her palm. “He is yours in every way that matters.” The fact that they were sitting at his house having this conversation was ample proof. “I hoped you’d want that, but I didn’t want to push.”

“You can push, Molly. You can tell me what you need.” He nuzzled her neck. “Or desire.”

“You’ve made that clear.” She kissed his jaw. She needed to be brave here and careful with the tender feelings he didn’t always acknowledge. “Any hesitation is due to my issues, not yours. I’ve been trying to stay out of family court. Remember?”

He chuckled.

“Besides, I don’t need a judge to confirm that you’re his father. Neither does Bryce. But it will be amazing when our names match.” She’d done a little homework, spoken with Wilt about the adoption process too. Just in case.

“You’re sure about taking my name?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I’m honored. How amazing will it be, building a family together? ”

“Then you’re not worried about my past?”

She shook her head. “Everyone has skeletons. But we’ve proven over and over that we can overcome anything, together. And the Guardian Agency won’t leave us hanging.”

“True. I’ll probably map out a few egress routes, just in case.”

She laughed and snuggled closer. “Do what you need to do. No one sheds all their baggage in one day.”

He was quiet for several minutes and she reveled in the wonder of being with him. “You know, I spoke with Mr. Devaney. There’s no time limit on when a step parent can adopt.” Miles tensed, but she was sure it was happy anticipation. “He can start the paperwork whenever you’re ready.”

“Seriously?”

“Of course. He says we could all be official on the same day. If that’s what you want.”

“More than anything!” He kissed her soundly.

“So, we can set a date for the wedding?”

“I’m free tomorrow,” he said, drawing her into his lap.

“Hm. That works for me, but Nina would throw a fit.”

He grinned. “You name the day and time and I’ll be there. Always.”

Always was a wonderful thought. For a few minutes she just enjoyed the soft sounds of the evening coast as the sunlight faded away. She could already see Bryce growing up in this house, herself taking time out here with Miles each evening after the bedtime routine. There was a lovely rhythm to life out here. And it seemed each year in Brookwell got better.

“Bryce made one request about us becoming a new family. He wasn’t sure he should say it in front of you.”

Miles frowned. “He can tell me anything. Ask me anything. Hell, he usually does. ”

“And I’m sure it will continue. This was just a little different.”

“How so?”

“Bryce wanted to know if we could add a little brother to the wedding party. To the family.”

Everything about Miles went still. They hadn’t actually talked about kids, because she already had Bryce. In her head and heart, she knew she could be happy with just Bryce or with more children if that’s what Miles wanted.

“What did you tell him?” he rasped.

She laced her fingers through his, cradling his hand on her thigh. “I told him we don’t always get to choose to have a brother or sister but I would talk to you about it. Admittedly he was less enthused about a baby sister, based on horror stories from his pals in kindergarten.”

Miles scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Molly. I’m asking what you think about it. About us and…”

“I think you’re a father already. From a biological standpoint, I don’t have a say about whether it’s a boy or girl.”

“Molly, you know what I mean.”

She did. Her lips brushed over his. “I’d love to have more children. Your children. But I’m not waddling down a wedding aisle.”

“I would never ask you to.” He kissed her lightly at first, then lingered over it. Melting into him, she knew the next time he kissed her it would be even better than this one.

“I fall in love with you a little more every day,” she confessed, breathless.

“Same. You’ve given me a reason to smile every day. And not just because you’re the mother of my favorite little boy in the world.” He brought her hand to his lips. “If there are more kids in our future, each one of them will be my favorites too.”

“See, you’re a natural with the parental diplomacy already. ”

“Are you going to tell Bryce that he’ll get to have a brother or sister?”

“I think that’s a talk that should wait until we really are pregnant.”

He tipped his head back and gave a low whistle.

“What is it?”

“All those years in foster care feeling so alone, I couldn’t imagine being the head of a family. I couldn’t even imagine family. Not a real one. You and Bryce are so precious and you’ve given me so much already. I’m just ridiculously happy, my love.”

“That makes two of us. I really thought it would just be me and Bryce against the world. And now you’re here and every day is brighter.”

“Co-Captains for life,” he said.

“Yes, exactly,” she agreed, her joy brimming over. “I love you, Miles.”

“And I love you too, future Mrs. Kearney.”

“That’s forever Mrs. Kearney.”

“You can say that again.”

So she did. Peppering kisses all over his face as she repeated the name that would be hers as soon as they could get the wedding on the calendar and exchange vows.

Don’t miss In the Spotlight , the Brookwell Island story starring Nina Billings before Boone turned her world upside down. You can read it for free when you subscribe to my emails.

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