Page 127 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

"We should celebrate," Lucas declared, his playful energy returning full force as he jumped up from his chair. "This calls for champagne, or at least whatever alcohol Theo keeps in this perfectly organized bunker."

Theo adjusted his glasses. "There's a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in the refrigerator. I maintain appropriate celebratory supplies at all safe houses as standard protocol."

I laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. "Of course you do."

Dakota's large hand found mine under the table, his touch warm and steady. "Are you sure about this, Vivian?"

I nodded, “I am sure. Though, I think I would like for you to take me out on some dates and such before we actually seal the bond.”

Gabriel smiled, his expression softer than I'd ever seen it. "Of course. We want to do this right." His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face with unexpected tenderness. "There's no rush, Vivian. We have time."

Lucas returned with the champagne and five glasses, his movements graceful despite his excitement. "Dating, huh? I can work with that. I know this amazing little restaurant by the river—candlelight, incredible food, romantic as hell." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Though I think we technically started with the 'meeting the family' part."

Theo adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind already mapping out possibilities. "Traditional courtship rituals adapted to our unique dynamic. Logical and appropriate." He accepted a glass from Lucas. "I can prepare a schedule that ensures equal distribution of one-on-one interactions while maintaining sufficient group bonding.”

Dakota gave Theo a look that somehow communicated volumes without a single word. "No schedules," he rumbled, his deep voice brooking no argument. "Some things can't be planned."

"Spontaneity has significant psychological benefits," Theo conceded after a moment's consideration. "Though some basic parameters would—"

"No parameters either," Lucas interrupted with a laugh, passing me a glass of champagne. "Just living, Theo. Feeling. Following what feels right in the moment."

Theo looked momentarily perplexed, as if Lucas had suggested they all try breathing underwater. Gabriel's mouth curved into a rare smile as he watched the exchange.

"Perhaps a compromise," Gabriel suggested, his voice carrying that natural authority that never felt imposing. "Theo can have his organization for work matters and security protocols, but when it comes to our personal relationships..." He paused, his blue eyes finding mine.

"But when it comes to our personal relationships, we'll find our way together." His gaze held mine with a warmth that made my heart flutter. "Each at our own pace."

I raised my glass, a smile spreading across my face as I looked at each of them in turn. "To finding our way together."

"To us," Lucas added, his glass clinking against mine.

"To unprecedented statistical probability," Theo offered, making me laugh.

"To protection freely given," Dakota rumbled, his deep voice resonating through me.

"To a new beginning," Gabriel finished, his blue eyes holding mine as we all drank to our future.

The champagne bubbled on my tongue, crisp and celebratory. As I looked around at these four Alphas—each so different yet somehow forming a perfect whole—I felt something settle inside me. For the first time in years, I wasn't running from something. I wasn't hiding, wasn't shrinking myself to survive. With them, I could simply be—Vivian, the florist who loved color and creation, who had built something beautiful from nothing, who had survived and thrived despite everything.

And now, surrounded by their strength and their care, I could become something even more—part of a whole that was greater than the sum of its parts. A pack member. Protected not because I was weak, but because I was valued.

As Lucas refilled our glasses, his movements graceful and playful, I caught Dakota watching me with those steady, dark eyes. He gave me a slight nod, a silent acknowledgment of everything that had happened between us earlier. My cheeks warmed at the memory, but there was no embarrassment, only a deep sense of rightness.

Theo was already typing something on his phone, his analytical mind likely processing data even in this moment of celebration. Yet there was a softness around his eyes, a contentment I hadn't seen before in his usually analytical expression. Gabriel stood slightly apart, watching us all with that quiet intensity that seemed to miss nothing, his champagne barely touched. When our eyes met, something passed between us—an understanding, a promise, a future unfolding before us filled with possibilities.

As I took another sip of the champagne I couldn’t help but feel excited for the future that was ahead with these four Alphas.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Epilouge

Ithasbeenfourmonths. I adjusted the tulips in the large arrangement, stepping back to assess the balance of color and texture. The sunlight streamed through the front windows of Petal & Thorn, catching the water droplets on the petals and turning them into tiny prisms. The shop hummed with quiet activity—Mia helping a customer select flowers for an anniversary, Jamie carefully packaging a custom bouquet for delivery, the soft music I'd chosen that morning providing a gentle backdrop to it all.

Four months had changed so much, yet somehow everything felt more right than it ever had before.

The bell above the door chimed, and I looked up to see Theo entering, his analytical gaze immediately finding me among the blooms. He moved with purpose through the shop, nodding politely to Mia and Jamie, the new hires I had to work the shop with me, as he passed.

"You're early," I said, smiling as he approached. "The shop doesn’t close for another hour.”

---