Page 62 of Knight Watch

“So why the tears?”

“I just realized we almost didn’t get this moment. It just hit me that from the moment we met until a few hours ago, so many things could have gone wrong. What if you had believed Raymond? What if you were in Mason’s place right now?”

Kingsley didn’t answer and just smiled before bending down and taking her lips in the most intense kiss of her life, as if he was pouring everything he was into it.

Just as she was out of breath, he pulled back, serious and intense. “From the moment I lost my brother, and later, when I became a soldier and then joined the Agency, death was the only certainty in my life. I’ve lived with it constantly, but since I met you, I’ve realized that even if it’s a definite thing, I don’t want to focus on it anymore. You were granted another chance at life, and so was I. I want to experience that with you. The danger, the joy, the sorrow, and the crazy. Our marriage may have been to save you, but I want it to work. I want that partnership in my life, making decisions with you. As a matter of fact, let’s start right now. Where do you want to live?”

Laughing at her dark soldier who was so enthusiastic. “I don’t know…”

“Do you want to move into your father’s house?”

She instantly shook her head. “No, the bad memories overwhelm the good ones there. I want to start fresh.”

Still swaying together, Kingsley seemed to think about it before he spoke again. “My place is too small, so we should look for another place. Any specifications? Near the beach, a backyard?”

“A garage so we can work at repairing my father’s car. And definitely a backyard. I want that puppy you promised me.”

Kingsley kissed her nose. “Anything you want. As a matter of fact, let’s go now. Let’s go search for our dream home and when we find it, we can go get that puppy.”

As he pulled her by the hand, Sydney smiled. “It’s too late. What about you show me your too-small apartment and if we’re up to it tomorrow morning, we can start house hunting then.”

It took only a second for his eyes to gleam in expectation, and he tugged even harder on her hand. “Come with me, wife of mine. I want to worship you as I promised and start our happily ever after.”

With a smile she believed would never vanish from her face, Sydney decided that doubts and bad memories could be dealt with later. Right then, her heart full, her hand in Kingsley’s, she knew she was ready for danger, joy, sorrow, and crazy with this man, and this fantastic new life, starting right now.