Page 112 of Marvelous

Something I’d always wanted... but I knew it would never happen for me.

And just as my brain was starting to spiral, he wrapped those strong arms around me and pulled me close.

Then he pressed a kiss on the top of my head, “For us. Children won’t be happening. Not unless we decide to adopt. And that decision will be up to Cassie.”

I twisted my neck to look up at him, “What?”

He winked, “Got all I need right here. You want to adopt, I’m okay with that. You don’t? I’m okay with that, too. It’s up to you. It’s your world, Cupcake. I’m just living in it.”

I felt tears start to well in my eyes, “Alec,” I whispered.

He winked.

“Oh, dear, Cassie, I am so sorry,” Misty said.

Talia’s face was softened, then she mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

I shrugged them all off, “It’s fine. How many kids deserve good homes?”

Then I looked at Bronson, who winked.

Then Talia gasped, “Wait a freaking hot minute.”

All eyes went to her.

“They called you Cassie Griggs,” she exclaimed.

I giggled, then I nodded, “Yeah, we got married by Chief Klein. We love each other, and he was about to go out on a dangerous mission. He wanted to make sure I was taken care of. It was the day after Christmas.”

Garrick smiled, “It was fucking hilarious.”

Tatum frowned, “Still sad I couldn’t get a picture for the two of you.”

Then all heads turned to her and Garrick.

Ethan laughed, “Of course, the two of you knew.”

Then Misty huffed, “Well, I’ve been to each of my kids’ weddings. And I won’t stop now.”

Alec chuckled, “Already promised her a wedding.”

Misty nodded. “Good.”

***

June had just swept into North Carolina and with it, the freaking heat.

I had the windows down in my new SUV.

Oh, yeah, Alec had deemed my old car a death trap a few weeks ago, when it stalled and then died coming down I-40, and we fought for the first time.

He wanted to pay for it.

I wanted to pay for it.

Then we settled on him paying for it.

Technically, I still paid for it.