Page 60 of In the Light of Day

“I was wondering if you picked up on that,” she says, turning her head and planting a kiss right over my heart.

“I was thinking more like a fur baby.”

“Hmmmm, alright, let's do it ... If you ever want skin babies would you be open to adopting? I’d just really like to give a kid out there a chance. One that I never got.”

I try to hide the wobble in my voice. I never thought the day would end with us talking about expanding our family but in a way, we’ve known each other so long that if we wanted to dive into those next stages then it wouldn't be the craziest thing I ever heard.

“Ace, you can't call them skin babies. It's like they’re little demon babies running around without clothes.”

“I'll tell Dante you referred to their new baby as a demon.” I chuckle.

Gasping, she lightly slaps my chest. “Don't you dare! He’ll give me food poisoning or something as payback.”

Dragging my fingers leisurely up and down her spine. I listen to her breathing change and feel her body relax into me as sleep takes over. The house creaks as the wind picks up outside and I’m content. Grateful for the lifetime I will get to spend with this woman, unworried about anything that life might try to throw at us because ours was a love written in the light of day.

Epilogue- Nova

Ordinary - Alex Warren ?

One Month Later

The guys have been gone all day and it’s starting to get a little annoying. Ace wouldn't tell me what they were doing, only saying that Porter had a toy they were all keen to play with. I double checked it wasn't anything sexual because they are grown men going to play with toys, but then he went on about sleek metal tubing and I zoned out. I'm assuming it's some sort of gadget but it could be a helicopter for all I know.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I connect it to my headphones before walking across the cafe floor and pulling the new blinds down. Everyone rallied and spent the past few weeks rebuilding my beloved coffee shop after Tobias and Thad tried to burn it down as a distraction. It turns out they not only failed in kidnapping me but they also failed in making a Molotov cocktail. Why they thought a metal drink bottle would work is beyond me. The flame barely had enough time to take hold once the volunteer fire brigade arrived. Everyone was okay but the smoke damage and replacing the large front window set us back longer than expected. I have a soft, grand reopening planned for next Monday but I've been working on a surprise for Pop's retirement party tomorrow night which I’m hoping he will be happy about. I found Ma’s old recipe book and I’ve been trying to master a few of our favourite dishes.

Checking the caller ID I’m a little disappointed to see it's not Ace ringing but I can’t pass up an excuse to hear my Pop grizzle over having a party to celebrate his forty-seven years in the force.

“Pop, I don't want to hear another word about your party. It's happening so just put a smile on and deal with it,” I say, laughing into the phone.

“I'm pretending it'snothappening. Anyway, I’m calling on official business. Apparently, there's been reports of explosions out in the forest ...the pine forest. I said it was just a drill some of the team were doing but I imagine your husband has something to do with it.” His words are gruff but I know him well enough to hear the smile in his voice.

“He and the guys are out playing with toys. That's all I know,” I say, rolling my eyes. I can only imagine what they’re up to out there, especially with explosives.

“Make sure Ace knows to tidy up after himself whenever he's done with what he’s doing. Good night, baby girl. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“I'm looking forward to it, Pop. Love you.”

I have a vague idea of what they might be up to out in the middle of nowhere but I won't know for sure until he gets back.

Speak of the devil.

The roar of a familiar engine pulls up outside of Beans and I stand in the middle of the cafe, arms folded, waiting for the amazing reason he's been gone all day.

“You're angry,” He says, stepping through the doorway, the overhead bell ringing out.

“Not angry, just wondering why Pop called asking if you have anything to do with reports of explosions out in the forest?”

Looking at the ceiling, he takes a breath. “Do you want the truth or would you believe that aliens tried to invade and we fought them off, so basically, you’re welcome.” A hopeful expression on his face.

“The truth. Always,” I deadpan.

“Porter has a grenade launcher.”

My jaw drops. A grenade launcher. I don't know if I’m surprised or shocked because that was the last thing I expected him to say.

“Did you?” I leave the question unanswered. He knows what I'm asking.

“Yeah, we did. I just wanted to make sure it was extra blown up now. I should have told you but honestly, I think I needed to do this part for myself. And also, Porter had a grenade launcher,” he says, shrugging his shoulders like that's a sufficient reason in itself.

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