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“It was magical,” I say, looking over at Declan. He’s beaming at me across the room. I decided to leave my job at the university when the school year ended. Not because I wanted to stop working but because I wanted to focus on my own art and have the flexibility to travel and spend time with Declan and Ian. It’s been the perfect balance, and my art is selling better than I would have ever dreamed.
“Wasn’t it hard to take a baby all the way to the other side of the world?” Eli asks.
“No,” Declan smiles at me. “He can still eat from Maggie’s body, and he sleeps in his carrier. It was a breeze.”
“Really?” Celeste directs this question to me.
I shrug. “Really.”
“Where are you off to next?” James asks.
“Florence,” Declan says. “Maggie wants to see some art. Be inspired. Paint in a piazza.”
“And Declan wants to eat,” I quip.
He chuckles. “That’s true.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Zadie says.
“Anyone want to join?”
Elizabeth just lets out a loud laugh and shakes her head.
“Maybe?” Brooklyn says.
Kip jerks his head up. “Really?”
“Sure. And Zadie? Come on. Let’s do a big family trip.”
“Hell yes,” Keene says. “I want to eat some pizza.”
“And gelato. I’m so in,” Juno adds.
They all exchange glances.
“We can’t go for another three years, but don’t let that stop the rest of you,” James says.
Zadie shrugs. “Sure. Let’s make it happen.”
The room is a buzz as we talk details until Juno points at her watch. “Fireworks are about to start.”
We all head out to the balcony.
Declan stands behind me, his arm looped around my waist.
“I love you so much,” he whispers into my hair.
I slide my hands over his as he squeezes me tighter. “Too bad you didn’t tell me sooner.”
He laughs. “I think about that every day.”
I jerk my head around. “Really?”
He shrugs. “Yeah. We’re going to be with each other forever, but I wish forever had started sooner.”
“But it kinda did, didn’t it?”
He thinks for a moment and then says, “Yeah. You were always mine.”
