Page 139 of Wildflower
“Wait,” she says, and I look back. “You forgot something.”
She takes both my hands and places them on her face, beaming at me. “I’ve missed you caressing my dimples.”
My chest feels too small as I hold her heart-shaped face in my hands. She leans into my palm and kisses my wrist.
“I love you, Mark.”
I bend down and press my lips against hers, breathing her in. I drop my arms to her waist and press her against me, feeling her soft, warm body against mine.
The door opens behind me. “Hey, we’re about to start the game. Are you two joining or not?”
I look at her and raise my eyebrows. She nods, and I take her hand, leading my Phantom Lady into the house.
“Everyone, you remember Rey?” I say and look back at her as she smiles to my family, crossing her free arm over her front, squeezing my hand with the other. I need to fix this shyness I put in her, if it takes me the rest of my life.
I twirl her around, receiving a hearty laugh in response, just as I hoped, and spin her right back into my arms.
“So you’re the woman who compelled our son to bare his private parts to the world?” Mum asks in a teasing tone. She’s smiling, and Rey’s cheeks go red.
“It seems,” Rey whispers.
“She is the woman who taughtyour sonwhat real joy feels like.” I tug Rey’s hand, and her eyes meet mine. I smile at her. “And she’s the woman I’m going to marry one day, if she’ll let me.”
epilogue
REY
THREE MONTHS LATER
My cape billows behind me as I sprint across the spacious living room towards my target. My competition is close behind, but I have the advantage of less fabric and more experience (this isn’t my first time running in a costume). Violet is cursing her choice of early Halloween (and my thirtieth birthday) costume.
“If I’d known we’d be playing Becktionary, I’d have chosen something other than a fucking ball gown.”
“Language, minus three points!” Kate yells from across the room, in classic Mum-style, and Fern groans, telling her sister off for costing their team.
I hit the button on the shelf, and it makes that shrill buzzing noise that I’ve come to love, and my teammate—my life mate, and everything mate—cheers from the other side. I turn to bask in the praise and absorb the breath-taking grin of my Mark. Or shall I say, Robin Hood? I am Alice again tonight. It’s become our thing. Although I’ve found a morefamily-friendly version, so my arse cheeks aren’t on display at the Becker house.
His father, Dean, picks a question card from the box.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” I say.
I’ve spent multiple Sundays and Becktionary nights here since Mark and I made up on the night of James’ birthday. That night I fell in love with the entire family, and they welcomed me with open arms, despite the influence I’ve had on their son.
Or because of?
Aside from his billboard, Kate shared with me she’s so happy to see Mark laughing and smiling as much as he does. And taking part in the family. Living life.
It warms me, knowing I’m good for him.
We’re good for each other.
Xander and Dad were here earlier for dinner to celebrate my birthday, and they all get along so well. It makes me happy beyond belief.
The only stain on this colourful canvas that is my life now is Mum. She still has some work to do, and didn’t feel comfortable being here with everyone, but we’ve had lunches and long walks in the past months. Sometimes filled with charged silence, and other times I talk non-stop about everything I love that she might learn to like. I sense there are things she wants to say, the way she twists her hands and clears her throat, but then seem to change her mind. The way she looks at me softens with each meeting. She can take her time.
She doesn’t know it, but Dad told me she stood up for me when the aunties had started squealing about the gossip blog. Even if she didn’t believe me, even if she agreed with them, she told them what I’d shared about me and Mark.
