Page 145 of Crazy Thing

“Amethyst…” she mumbles distractedly, looking up from her journal where she’s scribbling as I maneuver the vehicle through the winding hillside.

“Huh?” I glance over at her.

“Amethyst Brighton. Amy for short?”

“I like that,” I say with a conclusive nod. Then I pause. “Might be a bit hard to spell, though.”

“Don’t worry,” Ziggy says brightly. “Our kid will be a genius.”

I nod. “You’re right. Little Amethyst will be spelling her name in no time.”

Ziggy grins. Then she taps her chin thoughtfully. “I also like Aquamarine…Or Dandelion…Or Lavender…”

I furrow my brows as I navigate the bus down my long driveway.Oh boy!

“What about Cornucopia, if it’s a boy?” she suggests brightly. “Ooh! That’s good. Cornucopia Brighton.”

At that one, I almost knock over the damn water fountain in my yard. No way am I naming my son ‘Cornucopia’. But that’s an argument for another day.

“You don’t like it?” she questions, clearly shocked.

“Write them all down,” I say in the meantime. “We’re going to need some ideas for the next kid.”

Ziggy looks over at me, surprise in her eyes as I safely bring the vehicle to a stop. “Thenextkid? You want more babies.”

“Of course.” I unbuckle her seat belt, pulling her back into my lap and stroking her flat belly. “Of course I want more babies with you.”

She grins widely in my face, her head almost touching the ceiling as she straddles me. “How many? How many babies are we having?” she asks excitedly.

“Ten!” I squeeze her thighs.

She barks out a laugh. “My vagina hurts just hearing you say that.”

“Let’s go inside. I’ll lick that pussy all better for you.” I grin at her.

She shivers before saying, “I was thinking we could sleep in the bus tonight? Things are going to be changing soon. I’d like to enjoy Lady Tourmaline while I still can.”

I stroke her cheek, pushing her pink hair away from her face. “Lady Tourmaline’s not going anywhere. Things around us may be changing but you will always get to be you, if I have anything to say about it.”

Her beaming smile sends a ripple through the bus. Through the town. Through the universe.

“I meant it when I said it, Ziggy. I’ll never clip your wings. I’ll never try to stop you from being you. I’ll forever love you exactly as you are, my Fairy Girl.”

EPILOGUE

DARIUS

Seven years later…

The crisp autumn breeze streams through my windows as I take the winding mountain road home. It was a long two days away on my latest business trip and I just can’t wait to get back.

My accountant’s voice comes in through my car’s speakers as I drive. “Mr. Brighton, there was another strange five-figure withdrawal from your wife’s investment account this morning. Would you like us to look into it?”

I take a casual sip from my travel mug, barely flinching at the bitter taste of the herbal elixir. “Can you tell where the money went?”

“Some pet adoption organization out of Honey Hill.”

When I snort a laugh, herbal tea sprays all over the front of my white button-down shirt. “Thanks for the information,” I tell the accountant. “I’ll have a chat with my wife.”

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