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Clayton nods. “Ben and I had a talk.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” I smile.
“So?” Ben asks.
“Was it even a real question? I’d love to be your wife. I’ve waited almost my whole life for this.”
He takes the ring out and slides it on my finger. It’s a perfect fit.
Ben urges me up and wraps me in his arms—the safest place in this world. His lips seek mine, and he kisses me. In that kiss, there are so many promises.
“Can we eat now? I’m starved,” Clayton says.
We pull apart, and Ben slides his chair closer to me.
Jenson appears out of nowhere with a tray lined with covered dishes. “Congratulations.” He lowers his head. “Enjoy your meal, because Emmett can’t keep a secret. I’ll keep them all at bay until after you eat.”
We all chuckle.
“Thanks,” Ben says, and I mouth “thank you,” my voice not working. Ben raises his water glass. “Our first meal as a family.”
Clayton raises his, and I lift mine. Our glasses meet in the middle of the table.
“Eventually she’ll stop crying, right?” Clayton asks, and I laugh over a cry.
“Yeah, Clay, she will.”
Sometimes dreams do come true, just years later and not how you expected.
A half hour passes before we’re interrupted by the entire Noughton crew and Laurel and Sadie and of course Brooks. But I’d have it no other way. Clayton and I are finally home.
Epilogue
Ben
I knock on Gillian’s door, and she opens it, laughing when she sees the bag in my hand.
“He kicked me out,” I grumble.
She steps out of the way, and I walk inside. Clayton is busy in the kitchen.
“He kicked you out?” she asks.
“Said I’m an engaged man and should be living with my bride-to-be.”
“And her son!” Clayton shouts.
“He wants you to live in sin?” She laughs.
I drop my bag.
She stares at the bag, then up at me. “Bedroom, Noughton.”
“Does she always run a tight ship, Clay?”
He turns away from the stove, a plate of cookies in his hand. “She barks a lot, but if you guilt her, she’ll pick up your stuff.”
“Clay!” Gillian admonishes.
