Page 105 of Devotion

I fall into helpless giggles and wrap my arms around his neck. “Yes. I do.”

“Why are you laughing?”

“It may not be exactly the right time of the month for that.”

He shrugs, smiling just as broadly as I am. “Oh well. Won’t hurt to try.”

Three months later,I’m standing in the middle of a mostly empty room in a small house in town.

It’s an old building. Not pre-Fall—or Impact as they call it around here—but it’s got to be at least forty years old. It was one of the first houses built in this community. It’s got two bedroomsand a small kitchen and living room. A big window looks out onto the town park. A bathroom has been built on the back as an addition. The house originally didn’t have indoor plumbing, but it was updated a few years ago so now it does.

It’s cute, and it’s been well-maintained over the years. But no one has lived in it for more than a year and it shows.

“What do you think?” Gabriel asks, coming out of the larger bedroom to join me in the living room. “Dad said he’ll be happy to help us make any repairs or updates it needs.”

“I think it will be great,” I tell him, staring around and trying to imagine myself here. In a lot of ways, it still feels like I belong in the palace. Like that’s the only setting I’m really good for.

But I don’t. Not anymore.

When Gabriel looks concerned, I add, “It’s plenty big for the two of us.”

“The three of us.” His eyes slant down to my belly.

“My period is late. That doesn’t necessarily mean?—”

“I know.” He grabs me in a loose hug. “I’m not naturally inclined toward optimism, but can I at least try it out?”

Laughing, I pull his head down so I can kiss him. “Yes, you can try it out. I like to see you hoping for the best. And I think this house will be great for us. Maybe I can plant some wildflowers.” I stroke my locket.

He pulls back so he can search my face quickly. “You’re telling me the truth? You’ll be happy here?”

“What do you think?” I beam up at him.

His face softens, and he pulls me back into a hug, tighter this time. “Okay, good. It’s the only one available in town right now, so it’s not like we have much choice. But I’m getting kind of tired of living with my parents.”

“They’ve been amazing, but I’m ready to have a place of our own too.”

“And you have no regrets about leaving the Central Cities or about being this far from your family?”

“I miss them. But it won’t be long before I can visit them since we’ve heard that the search for you has died down.”

Over the past weeks, the news we’ve heard has all been positive in terms of our safety. The president’s administration has been dealing with internal conflict. Rebel groups have gotten more active across the state. And while Gabriel is still identified as a wanted man, the active searches have been called off.

It should be safe for him to travel in a couple of months. He can get me close to Saint Louis, and I can drive the rest of the way on my own. He’s been teaching me to drive, and I’m already doing pretty well with it.

“Yes. You can definitely visit them soon.” He looks like he’s about to turn away.

Remembering I never fully answered his question, I grab a handful of his shirt and hold him in front of me. “I have no regrets, Gabriel. Not a single one. All my decisions got me here. In this place with you. Where we can both be safe. Where we can have a future together. Where we can start a family. No regrets.”

My words touch him. He swallows visibly and brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “Okay. Good.”

“You’re the one who used to be at the top of the administrative ladder and now is stuck with boring guard duty.”

Gabriel has been doing shifts as a town guard, and I’ve been working in the community garden. We were able to take a few weeks to rest and recover, but after that we needed to start contributing to life here in town.

He huffs in amusement and shakes his head. “I’m not minding it too much if you want to know the truth. It’s kind of nice.”

“What is?”

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