Page 84 of Doozer

“Hi, Ronnie,” I said, hugging her. “How are you?”

“If I was better, it’d be illegal.”

“Love it.” I grinned. “Have you seen Doozer?”

“He’s in the meeting room.”

I nodded and headed that way.

I’d been at the dreaded gynecologist all morning getting my annual, so I’d planned on meeting Doozer here instead of our new home. He’d picked up the keys this morning and I couldn’t wait to move in.

After all the drama with Judge Snodgrass, Doozer was looking forward to making a fresh start far away from Portland. The relationship between Doozer and his father had grown into something quite unexpected in the wake of the attempt on his life. He and Doozer spoke every week on the phone and Doozer was even helping him plan his cross-country RV trip.

In the months after Judge Snodgrass’ death, a pile of dirty laundry surfaced regarding his dealings with the criminal underworld. Falling to his death was likely the easy road considering the list of criminal charges he would have faced. With Snodgrass gone, the Beast’s plan was dead in the water, but they’d be back, and we’d be ready.

It had taken us a month to find what I hoped would be our forever home. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, giant great room and kitchen on two acres with a shop. All this space meant we had room to grow and I couldn’t wait to have little Mancini babies running around.

The door was open, so I knocked on the wood as I walked inside, and all chatter stopped. Doozer sat on the edge of the table, head bowed over his phone as Squirrel and Taz oohed and ahhed over whatever he was showing them.

“Hi,” I said, and Doozer grinned, sliding his phone in his pocket.

“Hey. Perfect timing.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, as he closed the distance between us and leaned down for a kiss.

Squirrel and Taz gave me chin lifts as they scurried out of the room. Squirrel was at an equal level to me and Doozer, but Taz was our sergeant, so he was a little more standoffish.

“Something I said?” I retorted.

Doozer chuckled. “I’ve got a surprise for you. You up to following, or do you want to ride bitch?”

“Oh, I’m always up to being your bitch,” I sassed. “But it depends on where we’re going.”

“Home.”

“Yes,” I hissed. “I’ll follow.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

I clapped my hands and followed him out to our bikes. We drove the short ten minutes to our new home, and it was even prettier than it had been a week ago. I was so excited, I felt my heart race as we parked in front and set our helmets on the seats.

Doozer held his hand out to me and I jogged to catch up to him and link my fingers with his. He held the house keys up and jangled them before unlocking the door, then lifting me in his arms. “I love you, Stephanie Palmer.”

“I love you too, Marco Mancini.”

He grinned and kissed me as he carried me over the threshold and set me on my feet. I glanced around the room, my eyes coming to rest on a giant fish tank in the corner of what would be our dining room.

“What the…?” I breathed out and stalked over to it. “These are discus.”

“They are,” Doozer confirmed.

“Where did you find them?” I leaned down so I could watch the cutest pair of fish dance through the water.

“Cowboy helped me get them here. They’re from Dr. Sniffy.”

“Wait, what?”

“They’re Bonnie and Clyde’s fry.”

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