Page 136 of A Sinful Gravity

"Luna," I called her.

"Yeah?" She turned to look at me.

"You said what I heard was true. So let me tell you something too."

"What?"

"What I dreamed—that's true too. You walking toward me in a wedding dress, Laila calling me daddy, the three of us walking together on that path."

I looked at her.

"That's not just a dream. That's the wish I want to spend the rest of my life making real."

She didn't speak, just walked over. Gripped my hand tighter.

I felt my soul finally, completely redeemed in this moment.

Sunlight fell on our intertwined hands. I knew the long winter of these six years was finally over. Our spring was just beginning.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Luna

The smell of disinfectant filled the hospital corridor. It was cold, reminding me of London's chill.

But today, as I reached the private ward door, my mood felt worlds apart.

"Mommy, Daddy... Cassian still hasn't woken up?" Laila clutched my sleeve, whispering. She held a bunch of sunflowers she'd picked out at the roadside shop for ages, their bright yellow popping against the sterile hall.

"Shh, let's go in and see." I patted her shoulder and eased the door open.

Sunlight flooded in, warming us both.

Cassian lounged against the bed frame. Sunlight slanted across his thinner face, highlighting long lashes casting shadows, a straight nose, that sharp jawline still killer.

Maybe the injuries softened him. Without the suits, in baggy blue-and-white stripes, he looked heartbreakingly gentle.

He stared out the window, lost in thought. When he saw us, his eyes lit up, deep blue brimming with uncontained joy.

"Luna, Laila. You're here." He tried leaning forward, winced in pain, and just sat there, looking pitiful.

"Cassian!" Laila cheered and bolted over.

"Laila, slow down." I followed.

He strained to open his arms. Bandages wrapped his chest wound, but he pulled her in anyway, gentle as if she were fragile glass.

"For you." Laila shoved the sunflowers into his lap. "Cassian, you feeling better?"

"Much." He ruffled her hair.

"Mommy said it hurts." Laila wriggled free, yanked a crumpled Peppa Pig sticker from her pocket, and slapped it on his IV hand. "This'll make the pain fly away."

Cassian chuckled, eyes misting over.

He glanced up at me, voice hoarse but smiling. "Luna, look, it really doesn't hurt anymore."

Laila chattered on, but the door swung open. The doctor entered for rounds.