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“Grunt,” he groaned, though affection oozed in his voice. “I told you not to call me that in front ofanyone.”
“But you like it.”
The two of them disappeared into the hallway, leaving the kitchen in dumbfounded silence. Charlotte continued to gape at the ring, her eyes glazing over with emotion. Whether it was good or bad emotion was beyond me. But I hoped it was good. She looked shocked. Maybe I had to shake her out of it or something.
“Lottie?” I whispered. “You in there?”
She blinked. “I’m here.”
“Will you marry me? Be my wife? Be a mother to Henry?”
Henry touched her arm. “Dad said you liked it when I called you my mom. I told him I want to keep calling you my mom.”
She whimpered while gazing affectionately at him. “I’d love nothing more, kid. That would be so nice.”
“Really?” I blurted. “You want to marry me?”
Charlotte nodded tearfully. “Yes, I do.”
“Wow, I didn’t think I’d get this far.” I stared at her hand. “Do I…?”
“Put the ring on my finger, you ding dong.”
Uncontrollable laughter bubbled from my gut as I slipped the ring over her finger. I scooped her and Henry into a hug, tears trickling down my face as I clung to the only family I ever cared about besides my pack.
“I love you both so much,” I whispered. “I’ll always protect you.”
“And I’ll always take care of you,” Charlotte promised. “You’re both mine to take care of now and I won’t ever stop doing that.”
The three of us became a puddle of tears and chuckles. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the sound of joy as we pried ourselves apart and kissed each other silly. We grabbed more cake, lounged in the office, and talked about what the wedding would look like, when we would have it, and where we would have it.
“Sasha first,” Charlotte said. “And then we can get married the month after everything cools down. How’s that?”
I grinned. “Whenever, Lottie. As long as I get to be with you, I don’t care.”
She played with her new ring as Henry sat in her lap. He rested his head on her chest and closed his eyes, appearing more at peace with her than he had in over a week. She was good for him. And he was good for her.
And together? We were strong, resilient, and fierce. We were a family, a cohesive unit that would never fall apart even under the greatest pressure. Not a creature in heaven or on this earth could break us apart, no matter how many times they might try.
Pride and joy swirled inside me as I watched Henry fall asleep on Charlotte. She looked at me and smiled so warmly that it felt as cozy as a hearth. The flames of affection danced around my heart as I stared at the two most important people in my life.
She felt like my hearth because she was my home. And I would take care of her forever.
*****
THE END
