Page 49 of Misery In Me

“Congratulations, you’re officially married,” she says, though there’s no joy in her voice, no excitement. Just another transaction. But for us, it feels like a beginning. “Do you need copies?”

Alejandra’s eyes meet mine, and for a brief second, time feels like it stops. The world falls away, and it’s just her, me, and Zoe. The gravity of it hits me all at once, and I swallow hard to keep from saying something fucking stupid.

Married. Gage Donovan III is married. And to the most beautiful woman in the world. Fuck, I'm a lucky son of a bitch.

“Sir?” The clerk interrupts our moment and I’m only slightly annoyed.

“Yes,” I clear my throat. “Can we have two copies, please?" I take out my debit card and slide it through the machine. My gaze shifts over to Ale and my heart wants to jump out of my chest. She’s whispering to Zoe, giving her soft kisses on her forehead and if it isn’t the most maternal thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

I need my wife in our bed, underneath me, and getting filled with our next child.

I’ve been so damn afraid of this moment. Of everything that could go wrong. Of fucking it all up. But when I look at Alejandra—when I look at her and Zoe—I see my future. I see what I’ve been searching for.

“I love you,” I say, there’s no point in hiding it anymore.

Alejandra’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, and her smile is soft but real. “I love you too, Gage.”

I feel like I can breathe again. The fear that’s been holding me hostage for so long starts to fade. Maybe I’m not ready for all of this. Maybe I’m not perfect. But I know one thing for sure: this is where I’m supposed to be.

With her.

With Zoe.

The clerk hands us the papers, and we make our way out of the courthouse. The sun is high, and it’s hot as shit in the parking lot, the air is thick but not uncomfortable. I’m holding Alejandra’s hand, and Zoe is resting against her chest, her little eyes fluttering as she drifts off to sleep.

I stop walking for a moment, taking in the sight of them. Alejandra, with Zoe in her arms, looking like a mother, like a wife, like everything I’ve ever needed. I’ve spent so much of my life running, avoiding the things that scared me. But now, here they are—my family. The people who will always be my home.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask again, even though I already know the answer.

Alejandra smiles softly, looking down at Zoe, then back up at me. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

And that, right there, is enough to make everything feel like it’s finally falling into place. No matter what happens next, I have them.I have her. And that’s all I need.

I kiss her forehead, the taste of her skin sweeter than anything I’ve ever known, and as we walk to the truck, I realize that this moment—this is the beginning of everything.

The beginning of a life I never thought I’d have. And the beginning of a love I never thought I’d find.

“I can’t wait to get you home, put Zoe to bed and fuckmy wife.”

TWENTY

ALEJANDRA

We get home just as the sun is setting, casting a warm golden light through the windows. The house feels different now—quieter, almost like it’s been waiting for us to settle into this new life. I carry Zoe in the baby carrier on my back, her small body pressing gently against mine as I feel her soft breaths. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. With the exception of her father.

Gage takes a deep breath when we walk through the door, like he’s finally shedding the weight of the world. But I know better. He’s still carrying a lot. I see it in the way he holds himself, like he’s constantly ready to fight. I don’t know if he can let go of that, but I hope—God, I hope—I can help him.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Gage says, his voice rough but soft, and I nod, watching him head toward the stairs. He’s already peeling off his shirt before he even reaches the bottom step. I turn my attention back to Zoe, making sure she’s settled securely in the carrier on my back. I caress her head and smile when she makes a soft gurgling sound, her little fingers reaching up as if to grab at the world around her.

I move toward the kitchen, taking a deep breath. I need to make dinner—something that feels like home, something that will ground me in the reality of today. Albondigas. I promised Gage I’d make it for him. Since it’s my favorite, a comfort food that always brings me back to home, and I guess, in a way, it’s what I need right now too. A bit of comfort after everything that’s changed so fast.

I open the fridge and pull out the ingredients, working on autopilot for a moment. The smell of fresh cilantro and garlic fills the air, and I take a deep breath, letting the familiarity of the cooking settle me. Zoe shifts on my back, pressing her tiny body against me. The sensation grounds me more than anything else. I’m doing this. I’m not alone. Not anymore.

As I roll the first meatball, I hear the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Gage’s heavy, steady steps make my pulse quicken, but I don’t look up. I focus on the meatballs in my hands, rolling them out one by one and placing them carefully on the cutting board.

Then I hear it. The rustle of fabric, and I know—he’s changed into something more comfortable. I don’t look up, not yet, but I feel him standing in the doorway, watching me. There’s something about the silence between us that feels different now. He’s not the man I knew months ago. Hell, he’s not the man I thought I’d ever end up with. But now, here he is.

I glance up, and my mouth dries at the sight of him.

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