Page 149 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Aww, I'm sorry." I opened my arms for a hug and she playfully shoved me away.

"Don't do that. You're making it worse."

I laughed and took Amel's hand. "But Melly is with you."

Cress rolled her eyes. "Because there's too much pink there and he wanted to see Christian."

I tried to hide my smile but she rolled her eyes again and I looked down at Amel. "Sorry kid, Uncle Christian isn't here. All you get is me."

He frowned. "Do you have snacks?"

"Chocolate chip cookies but they're Uncle Christian’s."

He yanked his hand from mine and took off toward the kitchen. "I can have them. He always shares."

"Two, Melly. That's it," Cress yelled behind him.

"Okay…" he sang and bent the corner.

"So Miles is moving in your things?" Cress arched her brow and I nodded.

"Yep, and I think he hates me."

"Oh he definitely hates you. That's a lot of damn boxes." She laughed. "But this looks very permanent."

"It is."

She smiled so damn big. "I'm glad. He needs this and I swear I didn't think we would get here."

At Taste of the City, Cress made sure to let me know her feelings on Christian's ex-wife and also that she wanted him to be happy. IfIwas his happy, then she fully supported that, but if I wasn't serious about him, I needed to move on. I respected her position because they’d all hurt when Aja hurt him.

Cress frowned a little. "Can I ask you something personal? And if you don't want to talk about it, then tell me to mind my business. I promised Christian I wouldn't be all up in your personal stuff. Apparently I do a thing I wasn't aware of, which basically means I'm nosy."

"You're his sister."

"Yeah, tellhimthat."

"Ask whatever you want." We walked to the kitchen where Amel was on his knees balancing on a stool, digging through the box of cookies.

"Do you want kids? I mean, I know you and Christian are still figuring things out, but..."

I leaned against the counter and considered how to answer. "I do want a family. I always have but with my age it might not happen."

"Have you and Christian talked about it?"

"Yes, he wants kids too and he's been honest about how important the option is to him. We both know we might have to explore alternatives."

"Like adoption?"

I nodded.

"If that's what it takes, and you're okay with that, I don't see it being an issue. Honestly, I think adoption is just as good and I know my brother. If that's how things work with the two of you, he will love the child whether they're biological or adopted. He's so good with Ava and Melly."

"I know."

Speak of the devil…

"Uncle Christian." Amel hopped off the stool and ran right to him. He threw a hand up which Christian met with his palm.

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