Page 146 of XOXO

“Aw, I’m sure I’ll love it.” She advanced, curiosity in her gaze as she craned her neck. “Is it a necklace?”

“Yes.” Facing her, he balanced it on his palm, extending it so it shone in the light. “With a Nymph quartz.”

“Oh, wow.” Her eyebrows lifted as she tenderly ran her finger over the silver chain. “Did you get it from Toross? I don’t understand.”

“I got it from Sadie…who got it from your birth grandmother.”

Her quick inhale sounded before she lifted her gaze to his. “What?”

“I wanted you to have something of Ellania’s. Something you could cherish and maybe pass on to Briala one day. Kal gave it to Elliana when they were happy and deeply in love.”

Adelyn’s chin warbled as she caressed the stone. “Oh, Leo. That’s so thoughtful. I…” She worked her jaw, attempting to speak as tears sparkled in her eyes. “I never thought I’d possess anything from my birth mother.”

He gently turned her so he could drape the chain around her neck. Clasping it, he kissed her hair and slid his arms around her waist. “Now, you have something from each birth parent and each adoptive parent. I hope it makes you happy, baby.”

She turned to face him, cupping his jaw as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Leo…”

“Are these sad tears or happy tears?” he asked, his tone teasing as he studied her. “I never know with you.”

“Happy tears, of course!” She swatted his shoulder. “This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me. How did you get Sadie to bypass the closed adoption terms?”

“With a bit of negotiation and a lot of begging,” he said, arching a brow. “But she eventually came around. I might owe her our next child, so think carefully before you decide you want to have another one.”

Tossing her head back, Adelyn let out a joyful laugh. “That’s amazing. I guess you can be charming when you put your mind to it.”

His expression turned deadpan. “Funny.”

Her silken laughter surrounded them as she encircled his neck. “Seriously, Leo. This is amazing.” Rising to her toes, she pecked his lips. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

He rested his forehead against hers, stroking her hair as she gently ran her fingers over the necklace.

“Did I tell you that I also snuck some rope from Jack’s shed?”

Leo nipped her lips. “No, but I’m sure we can manage to put it to good use.”

Their chuckles mingled as they slowly swayed under the dim kitchen light, content to hold each other and bask in the tender moment.

Eventually, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to bed. When she was wearing nothing but the silver chain with the pretty stone, he made love to her again, overcome with the emotion in her purple irises.

It was all he needed to feel complete, and Leo would continue to strive to make his gorgeous mate happy for the infinite tomorrows they would share upon Etherya’s Earth.

Epilogue

Adelyn extended her arms, air jetting from her lungs when Kellan jumped into her embrace.

“Hey, baby. Did you miss us?”

He nodded and pointed at Jack. “Uncle Jack let us have so many smores, and we got to play in the river and build mud castles.”

“Oh, I can see that by your clothes and the way you smell,” she said, wrinkling her nose as she observed his mud-stained clothes. “Thanks a lot, Uncle Jack.”

“Hey, the terms of our agreement only stipulated I keep them alive,” he said, showing his palms. “Keeping them clean was never discussed.”

Rolling her eyes, Adelyn set Kellan on the ground, observing him greet Leo as she picked up Briala. “And look at you. I think you built some mud castles too, hmm?” She tickled her stomach through the dirty clothes.

Briala beamed. “It was fun. You should play with us next time, Mommy.”

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