Page 80 of The Tribune Temptation

Aelius wrapped Crispina in his arms, squeezing her so tightly her feet lifted from the ground.

“Congratulations, my love,” she whispered in his ear.

“For a moment, when I was standing up there, I thought it was all a dream, or a mistake,” he said. “I was waiting for someone to come drag me away. But then I saw you and Max and Mama, and I realized if my life with you is real, then the consulship has to be. Because nothing could be more of a dream than the fact that I get to wake up beside you every day.”

His face blurred before her, and she blinked away tears. “It’s going to be a busy year,” was all she could manage.

His mouth curved in a grin. “The busiest.” He swept her into a kiss.

She kissed him back, lifting a hand to caress his cheek, as Max made vomiting noises next to them. It would be a busy year, a stressful year, maybe even a dangerous year. But they would face it together, and their love would endure.

THE END