Page 174 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

Those words instantly have a lump forming in my throat. I’m not his mom, and I never want to replace her, but I feel like his and he feels like mine in all the ways that matter.

This morning, she cooed over what a sweet boy he is and refused to give him up. The relief I felt as I watched the interaction was instant and acute. I don’tneedmy parents to accept everything I do with my life, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting them to understand and love the people I care about, and that includes Sammy.

She turns to my father. “We’re staying.”

He looks from her to me and gives a simple “okay.”

Daire’s father pipes in. “I’ll stay too.”

Roman throws his hands up. “What am I, chopped liver? I’m staying.”

Daire and I exchange a look. He looks as surprised as I feel. Neither of us expected this to matter to our families so much.

“All right,” he says, squeezing my hand. “We appreciate it.”

“Do you wanna go?” Luke asks Bertie.

“Only if you two are okay with us being there,” she says, giving me a small smile.

“We’d be happy to have you guys there.”

It warms my heart to know that our family and friends care so much about us and Sammy that they want to be there when he officially becomes ours. I suppose we should have expected that, but it never crossed our minds that they’d be interested in witnessing the moment.

With the chaos of the past eight months or so, it’s been easy to forget how much our families do care about us.

We don’t have to do everything alone.

We’re surrounded by love.

I smile at Daire, and in response, he leans in and presses a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth.

The look on his face echoes my thoughts. Life isn’t perfect, and it never will be, but we’ve been pretty lucky.

I’ve changedmy dress three times.

I shouldn’t be so nervous. This day isn’t about me. This moment will be between Daire and the court. I can formally adopt Sammy in the future, but I’ll only do that when he’s older and if he requests it. I don’t want to take the choice away from him.

“Rosie.” Daire’s voice is tight with stress. “We have to go.”

I turn to find him at the doorway of the closet. He looks good enough to lick in his dress shirt and dress pants. His tie is askew, thanks to Sammy, who keeps tugging on it.

“I’m sorry.” I smooth down the dress. It’s a simple black number, nothing flashy. I’m worried I look too much like a politician’s wife in it, but it’s too late now to try a fourth dress.

“Everyone is waiting on us.”

“Crap. I’m sorry,” I apologize again, scouring the floor for a pair of heels.

“Rosie,” he warns.

“I need shoes.” I clutch his arm as I slip one shoe on, then the other. When they’re on, I smooth my hair down and nod. “All right, I’m ready.”

“Mama.” Sammy reaches for me, and I take him, settling him on my hip.

I follow Daire downstairs and out to the car. As we approach the van, he takes Sammy to strap him into his seat. It’s just us, since his dad and Roman are riding with my family. They decided that the three of us should have this time alone in the car before and after.

It’s been good, having them all here, especially as they’ve all had more time to come to terms with our decision to get married. It’s also given them time to bond with Sammy.

Daire is silent on the drive to the courthouse. His body taut with nerves. It hurts that I can’t take the stress away, but I’m resigned to the understanding that he won’t feel better until all this is over.

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