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“We’ll talk. Whenever you want to.”
Bianca nods and pulls away, giving Kieran a hug too. And it really seems to hit us all in that moment how everything has come full circle. That we’re here together, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, everything just feels… complete.
“Good to see you again.” Kieran ruffles Bianca’s hair before she pulls away. “It’s been way too long.”
“It has,” she agrees. “You sticking around here for a while?”
His eyes flash to Tori, and she blushes as he nods.
“Yeah, I’m not going anywhere if I can help it.”
“Good.” Bianca wipes her eyes as she comes back to me. “I need to see you two play together again.”
Chapter 85
Madden
After Birdie called Ace, Gypsy, and Lucian to join us, we spend the rest of the night with our friends. As much as I want to be selfish and keep Bianca to myself, I know everyone else is eager to celebrate, so that’s exactly what we do.
At Bianca’s request, Kieran and I play a few songs for her, and after a while she joins in too. And I can’t help but look at her, remembering that girl I first met at the ranch. We’ve come so far, and changed so much since then, but the one constant that’s remained is this connection between us. Even when she couldn’t remember me, she found a way back to where I was. She played the songs we played together. And she fell for me all over again, even when I didn’t deserve it.
I don’t know how it’s possible, but I know what we have isn’t something everyone gets a chance to experience. So I’m going to grab hold of it with both hands and never let her go again.
I wait until she’s in the kitchen, helping Tori mix some drinks, and then I steal Zoe away for a private word. When I sit her down in her bedroom, she looks up at me with big brown eyes so much like Bianca’s, I know in my gut in some strange way, they were meant to be together in this life too.
Zoe takes pity on me as I try to put into words my request, attempting to explain it in a way she’ll understand. I need her to be okay with this, and I’ve never felt as relieved as I am when she tells me she is. Not only is she okay with it, but she’s excited about it. Because as much as I’ve tried to make sure she has everything she needs, I know there will always be a part of her that wants a mother’s love. I’ve seen it in the way she looks at Tori and Olivia, and it’s undeniable the loss of Jackie has left a hole in that part of her life. But if there’s anyone who can fill those cracks, I know it’s Bianca. And I’m looking forward to seeing that bond develop as we move forward.
At the end of our talk, Zoe gives me a hug and promptly tells me to let her know when it’s done because she’s already bursting to tell Olivia. In my head, I’m planning it out for tomorrow when we’re alone. But when I walk down the hall to find Bianca looking for me in the bedroom, I know I can’t wait that long.
“Is everything okay?” Bianca asks. “You disappeared.”
I grab her and pull her against me, tipping her head back so I can kiss her.
“It’s more than okay.”
She wraps her hands around my back and lets out a happy little sigh, and I can’t help myself. I don’t have a speech prepared, or any of the trappings that go with it. All I have to give her is me, as I am.
“Marry me, Bianca.”
She pauses, sucks in a breath, and blinks rapidly as her eyes fill with tears. “Really?”
“I told you, I’m all in, baby.” I brush away her tears. “I don’t want to waste any more time. We can go tomorrow, if you’re up for it.”
“Yes,” she chokes out as she nods eagerly. “Oh, my god, yes.”
She seals her agreement by climbing up my body and wrapping her legs around me before her lips crash into mine.
“How long do you think we have before anyone notices we’re gone?” she pants.
I carry her to the bed and drop her beneath me. “As long as we fucking want.”
Chapter 86
Bianca
“You look beautiful,” Birdie beams.
“Okay, stop that,” I tell her when she waves her hands in front of her face. “You’re going to make me cry too. And I’m tired of crying.”
“I know, I know.” She squares her shoulders and tries to get herself together. “But these are happy tears.”
“Do you think he’ll like it?” I stare at my reflection in the mirror.
I’m wearing a simple white satin dress I picked out this morning with the girls while the men waited outside the store. It’s nothing fancy, and I prefer it that way. I wouldn’t care if I was wearing a paper sack as long as it means I finally get to call Madden my husband. But there’s still a part of me that wants to surprise him when he sees me in it.
