Page 80 of Fighting Shadows

“I love you. Always have, always will.”

“Always have, always will,” I reply, smiling up at him as he cleans me gently.

Atlas disappears into the bathroom again, the shower turning on, so I turn to Tobias, who is staring at me with so much love in his eyes that I nearly cry.

“I’m yours, Spider-Man, always,” I tell him, wanting to make sure he knows, to reassure him and stop him from overthinking again.

He smiles softly at me, his arms opening to pull me into his embrace, “Promise?” he asks, his pinky held up.

“Pinky promise,” I say seriously, linking my own with his and touching the pads of our thumbs together.

I kiss him softly, murmuring that I love him before I get up and kick Atlas out of my shower since we only have two hours before our families arrive for the family dinner that they arranged and didn’t bother to give me a heads up.

“Autumn! Ma’s here!” Atlas calls up the stairs.

Taking one last glance in the mirror, I decide that this has to be good enough. I smooth down the baby blue summer dress I chose to wear for tonight since the weather is so lovely, and I smooth down the stray baby hairs that have somehow frizzed up from my ponytail. My makeup is minimal tonight; I only wear mascara and some lip gloss since the temperature is far too hot.

I run down the stairs, earning myself a glare from all of my men, Noah and Aidan, who shakes his head at me.

“Ma!” I call out as Mrs. Moore comes into view.

I practically fly into her open arms, wrapping mine tightly around her.

“Hey there, baby,” she says, her arms wrapping around me so tightly all my breath wooshes out of my lungs.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too. How’s my favorite girl doing?” she asks, her hands coming up to frame my face, “You look like you’ve put the weight back on since you’ve been back home.”

“I have. Zander has been making sure I was fed.”

Mrs. Moore smiles over her shoulder to the man in question, “He’s always been my favorite.”

Zanders's chest puffs up at her words, smirking at the others as Dominic cries out in outrage, “I thought I was your favorite!”

Mrs. Moore shakes her head at him and pulls me along with her to the kitchen. She breaks away from me and heads straight for the chopping board that’s laid out with homemade bread on top, courtesy of Zander.

She picks up the plastic knife that’s laid on top of it, turning it over in her hand before giving me a funny look, “Autumn, where are all the knives?”

“Um-”

“We got rid of them.” Atlas says matter of factly, “We will be replacing them when everyone who is under this roof is in a better head space.”

Concern fills his Ma’s face, and then utter heartbreak takes over as she processes what Atlas has just said.

Her moss green eyes swing to mine, “Are you ok?”

“I’m fine,” I say, my voice cracking, “I’ve just been struggling to process some things.”

“I’m here anytime you need me.”

“I know. Thank you.” I smile at her, “I’m going to go greet the rest of our guests.”

“Autumn,” Sebastian’s dad greets me as I walk out to the patio where everyone is gathered. Sebastian is his father’s twin, and I realize I’m getting a glimpse into my future with him by my side in twenty years. “Mr. Miller,” I greet, shaking his hand.

“It’s lovely to meet you finally. My apologies for not making it to the Christmas dinner.”

“Don’t apologize for having to work, darling,” Mrs. Miller appears beside him, her lips painted scarlet and her forest green pantsuit pristine as always, “Autumn sweetie, how are you?”

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