Page 112 of Protected By the Sinner

“That’s not going to happen, Beau. We both need to learn how to trust, and that has nothing to do with how sure I am of your love for me, because I am, but it does mean accepting that I shouldn’t keep secrets from you.”

“Do you think you’re capable of that? Because I’m starting to doubt it.”

“You taught me how to love. Maybe you can teach me how to share, too.”

“You want to learn, Amber? Because it’s not just up to me.”

I get up, push him back onto the bed, and straddle his body. “I do. I’m scared of giving my life over to someone else, but nothing terrifies me more than losing you. Don’t give up on me.”

Finally, his hand finds my hair, pulling me down onto his chest. “Giving up on you would be giving up on breathing. I couldn’t go on living.”

Months Later

Violet’s Birth Day

I look around the hospital room, where my whole family is gathered: Elodie, Amos, and his wife—whom I finally met—and of course, my love.

The man who gave me the most precious gift of all.

Violet was born naturally, big, full head of hair, blue eyes like her father, and smiling. Our little flower.

My heart outside my body.

“She’s so beautiful!” Lilly says.

My sister and I exchange a look. I think we’re both a little stuck in disbelief that we finally belong to a real family.

“She is,” I say, beaming like a proud mom. “I can’t wait for our first Christmas together. Can we host it at our place?” I ask, already imagining a room lit up with a huge Christmas tree and my whole family gathered around it.

It’s my Beau who answers, holding our daughter in his arms. “Whatever you want, Amber. Ask for the world, and it’s yours.”

One by one, our family members leave the room until it’s just the three of us.

“I don’t need the world or riches,” I say, “jewelry or a life of luxury. I have everything I want, right here and now. I love you, Beau. I’ve finally become a daisy.”

Chapter 53

New Orleans

Months Later

Wedding Day

“Mom would be so proud. You look stunning!” Elodie says, spinning around me.

We did our research and decided on a Romani wedding, in honor of our mother. A way to pay tribute to the woman who, despite having made the wrong choices, loved us and tried to protect us in the only way she knew how.

Beau said he didn’t care about a religious ceremony, since, like Amos, he’s an atheist.

Typically, Romani weddings last for three days, but we chose to do it all in one. That would’ve been a bit much, for my husband and for Violet, who inherited her father’s impatience.

The tribute is reflected in my outfit—my dress is red and fully embroidered—and in the decor. We found out that in a traditional Romani wedding, the couple’s commitment is often made in childhood.

We hired a celebrant for the ritual.

It could’ve taken place in a church, but we preferred an outdoor wedding, in our garden. The celebrant explained that the ceremony would involve two daggers, a red scarf, bread, salt, wine, and a crystal glass.

The wine symbolizes eternal happiness, the bread and salt represent unity, the crystal glass is for peace, and the dagger is used for the blood communion. We won’t follow everything to the letter—it wouldn’t be fair to Beau, who hates being the center of attention even on our wedding day—but as Elodie said, it’s the intention that counts.