Page 174 of The Protective Gryphen

“Well, we’ll be there with bells on.”

And now, Ian could propose. He was ready to start his life with the man he loved, and his family by his side.

“Thank you. You’re my best friend, and I can’t believe that at one time, we weren’t friends. I can’t imagine my life without you either. Thank you for everything you’ve given me. I love you.”

She wiped her eyes.

“Oh, I love you too, Ian. When you come back, after that sexy Marine says yes, we’ll plan a wedding. In fact, we’ll plan a wedding that the media will be talking about. I think the President of the United States will be in attendance.”

He gasped.

“Oh, yeah, Baldy owes me one, and who better to have there for my family. Because my brother from another mother is going to marry the best Marine I know.”

Tears filled his eyes all over again.

“Thank you for that. Thank you for loving us, and always being my hero. You and Gryphen are that to me, my sister.”

While she wished they had more time, she saw the timer on her desk.

Someone had been properly distracted.

“I have to go weep and pretend I have a soul. You go rock that man’s world. If you need me, call.”

He had one last thing they needed to talk about.

“About Takoda’s wedding. I’m sorry we can’t be there for it, Elizabeth.”

She was aware.

“Hey. You were in danger. You’re safe. Koda isn’t upset. He wants you and his Uncle Gryph safe. I’ll send you pictures so you can see everything.”

That sounded perfect.

“Please do.”

“I love you, Ian.”

“And I love you, Elizabeth. See you when I’m engaged.”

Yeah, this man sounded like he was healing up nicely, and that meant Gryphen was too. Once more, Cupid had done her job.

“Kiss Gryphen for me.”

Yeah, that was the plan.

“Oh, I will.”

There was laughter, and then, the call ended.

As he sat there for a few minutes, he enjoyed the library’s ambiance. The big fireplace crackled, and he pictured having cocktails in that room for their wedding.

With the big windows, and the snow falling…

Yeah, this was going to be perfect.

Only, he didn’t have time to dilly dally. It was time to go have dinner with his man. The past was that, and he wanted to live in the future.

Walking out, he headed into the kitchen, and saw a bottle of wine and two glasses there. Assuming they were for them, he poured some wine, and carried the glass upstairs.

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