Page 88 of Honeyed

“I’m so happy you said yes to marrying me,” Warren says this for only me to hear.

I lean farther into him. “Me too. Even if it only means I get you for five years.”

I give him a little shit for keeping that part of the contract hidden from me until recently.

“I don’t want to be married to you for five years,” he deadpans.

“Oh. You don’t?” The grin I give him is goofy.

“I want to be married to you for a lifetime. I want to be married to you until I’m old and gray and forget my name. I want to be married to you through centuries and ages, until there isn’t a point where you end and I begin. I don’t care what that contract says, because we’re exceeding it. I don’t give a shit about what we get after the five years, because none of it matters if I don’t have you. So no, I don’t want to be married to you for five years. I want forever.”

It’s hard to breathe when he says things like that.

“Way to make a girl swoon, Mr. Teal.”

“Only you, Mrs. Teal.” He swoops down and captures my lips, the kiss a little too lingering with this much company.

“Ew, get a room,” Liam grumbles.

“You all came to my house and barged in, you do realize that, right?” I point to each one of my family members.

“Alana, I have a new vendor for the shop I want to introduce you to. I met a local artist who makes digital silhouette art of kids, family members, dogs. It’s the sort of thing I thought would be perfect for Lily,” Dad says.

I’m still shocked whenever he wants to be involved with the store he gave such pushback about originally. But over the last week, when Warren and I were definitely more insular and at home, he even volunteered to work most of his hours there and let Evan run the Hope Pizza kitchen alone. He’s stepped up, showing us with his actions that he wants to be better where we’re concerned.

“Thanks, Dad, that would be great.” I lift my eyebrows at Warren, and he shrugs with surprise.

Over the next few months, we’ll need even more help as Warren begins to dig through the mountain of property and businesses Arthur left him. We don’t plan on keeping much, just the items that were sentimental to his adoptive parents and some of the nonprofits that Arthur championed. While I’ve never struggled financially because of the family I was born into, it’s a whole other ballgame with how much Warren and I are now worth. There will need to be a lot of meetings with Arthur’s lawyer and our new financial advisor to inform us about how to smartly keep this wealth for our future generations.

It will all become easier with time and thank God for the support of the best family a girl could ask for.

“Um …”

We all watch as Cass stands, a wet liquid dripping onto the floor as she does so.

“I think my water broke.” She giggles like this whole thing is a joke.

For one moment, the entire room is completely still. And the next, movement is everywhere. Evan is jumping from the couch to grab car keys, Patrick is sprinting to his wife’s side, Mom is in a tizzy of tears, Warren is asking what he can do, and Dad is bossing everyone around, but no one is even listening.

“Calm down, calm down. This baby is probably not coming for hours.” Nonna strolls in with two bowls of ice cream. “Have some dessert, labor here with us, and when it gets further along, then go. They won’t let you eat at the hospital, and wouldn’t you rather scream into a pillow here than in a cold hospital?”

“She’s right.” Mom tilts her head, considering all of this. “All right, let’s get her comfortable. Patrick, call her doctor and tell him what’s happening.”

As we all shuffle around to do just that, I end up catching my sister-in-law alone for a second or two.

“How kismet that we can all be here for the early hours of your labor?” I speak quietly to her, knowing this is a special moment we’ll never get to experience again.

“I kind of love it, knowing this baby will be starting its journey into the world surrounded by the people who love her the most. I never had that, and that’s all I want for her.” Cass smiles at me.

“Oh, you’ll never have to worry about an overwhelming amount of love directed at her.” I chuckle because this family is crazy.

Just like they say, it’s the circle of life. Everything in this universe is cyclical. Death and trauma give way to life and new hope. We’re witnessing it right in front of our eyes.

As we all wait together in my and Warren’s living room, telling family stories from our childhood, I hold on to the hand of the boy I’ve loved since way back in the playground days.

“I love you,” I whisper when everyone else is preoccupied with something or other.

Warren looks to me, the emotion shining from his face, and delivers the only words I’ve ever wanted from him.

---