Page 48 of Rufus

Molly had decided to keep the name that had been hers for most of her life, although her mama always called her Lily. Which she loved, because it was special to the two of them.

Mother and daughter had spent a lot of time together getting to know each other the past two months, and Molly now knew exactly how selfless and constant a real mother’s love could be.

Barbara had even contacted William in China and explained what had really happened to their daughter and apologized for ever believing he had been involved in her disappearance. He and his family were due to visit the following month.

Molly and Rufus had spent a lot of time together too, so much so that Molly rarely went back to the apartment over the animal shelter, but instead spent all her nights at Rufus’s house, in Rufus’s bed.

Angus had moved in too.

Molly had been thrilled when Mia and Darius asked her to be godmother to Lilybeth. She was a little in awe of the other two godparents. Not so much Daisy Volkov, but Mia had told her that Daisy’s husband, Nikolai Volkov, was second only to the pakhan of the Russian bratva that controlled London’s underworld.

He had seemed a strange choice to be a baby’s godparent until Mia explained the part the Russian had played in bringing Mia and Rufus together two years ago.

Molly was still in awe of the man, but also grateful to him for his help in reuniting Rufus with his daughter. She also knew, after only one meeting, that Nikolai Volkov would protect Lilybeth with his life.

Molly had also met and liked her father, his wife, and her half brother when they visited London.

There was still Serena Jenkins’s trial to get through, but the evidence against her was so overwhelming that a jury couldn’t fail to find her guilty and then throw away the key to the door of whichever prison cell she was incarcerated in for the rest of her life. Molly doubted she would be wearing red-soled shoes in there!

All in all, Molly didn’t think her life could be any more perfect.

“There’s something I want to ask you before we go in…”

Molly turned to see Rufus lowering himself to one knee beside her. He took her left hand in his as he removed a ring box from the pocket of his jacket.

“I’ve already asked your mother’s and Mia’s permission,” Rufus assured.

Molly’s other hand had moved instinctively to cover her gasp as she stared down at him with tears of happiness in her eyes.

“I love you, Molly,” Rufus told her gruffly. “I love you so very much. More than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my life before,” he told her in earnest. “I know you’re my soul mate as well as my love.”

“I love you too. With everything I am or ever could be.” Molly knew all about his first marriage now, of the liking and affection he and Beth had felt for each other rather than the soul mate’s love she was now confident she and Rufus felt for each other. “You’re my soul mate too.”

He nodded. “I would deem it the greatest honor of my life if you would agree to become my wife.” He released her hand to open the small box and reveal the thin white-gold band with a large diamond surrounded by smaller ones.

“Yes, please.” She thrust her hand out for him to slip the ring onto her finger. A ring that was a perfect fit as it glittered and gleamed on her finger.

In the same way she and Rufus were a perfect fit for each other.

* * *

One year later

“Nervous?”

“Very.” Rufus’s gruff admission was confirmed by how white and strained his face was.

Molly grinned “Me too.”

“You don’t look it.”

“That’s because, although the labor is painful”—very much so, she had discovered the past ten hours—“I know that in a very short time, we’re going to meet our son, and I couldn’t be happier.” She bit her bottom lip. “Do you think Angus is going to be okay staying with Fergus for a few days?”

“That dog has everyone who meets him wrapped about his paw,” Rufus drawled.

“Yes, but remember what happened to Magnus when he looked after Angus while we were away on our honeymoon.”

“He met the love of his life and now has a family he adores.”

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