Page 64 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“I’m sure they’ve all thought it.” I look over at him. “Do you feel better about me? About her and I possibly getting married, but knowing it would never be conventional?”

He nods slowly. “As long as she and I can have a baby together.”

“I don’t want to have my own biological kids, so I’m fine with that.” In fact, knowing that he wants kids eases my own worries. “She’s always wanted a big family with lots of kids. It used to make me feel so guilty when she’d talk about it, knowing how I feel.”

“That had to be hard.”

I drag in a deep breath as my eyes sting. “It was so fucking hard.” But it feels good to be seen. You could fucking knock me over with a feather knowing that it was Declan Ambrose who finally gave me the gift of validation.

Harper shoots up from the couch as soon as we walk into the living room. Her eyes dart back and forth between us as if expecting bloodied faces and broken bones. But she doesn’t find anything out of place, except maybe Declan’s hair.

“You’re all in one piece, that’s good.”

“We just had a friendly chat,” Declan says innocently.

“Yep. He needed to talk through his mommy issues.”

Her eyebrows climb nearly to her hairline. “Mommy issues?” She looks to him, but he remains calm.

“Apparently, I need therapy.”

Honestly, I’m hoping if he starts going, she’ll be more open to the idea. If anyone needs it, it’s Harper. Although I’m not sure Cyrus doesn’t need it either. Fuck, maybe we all need therapy.

That topic takes a back seat as Declan suggests we all watch a movie. Harper settles in between us, leaning her head against my shoulder and twining her arm around mine. Declan grabs her feet and sets them in his lap. Hope grows within me that we can really make this work.

Harper askedme to stay the night, and Declan chimed in, saying I should stay anyway because of the storm. We’re laying in her bed listening to the wind howl and the rain blow against the windowpane while she tells me about Greece.

“I wish I could have been there. It sounds amazing.”

“It was. I’m sure there will be more trips you can tag along on. Especially if you’re really going to move in with us.” She looks up at me. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Yes. Is it what you want?” I lift her left hand and look at the ring, sparkling in the flash of lightning outside.

“Absolutely, but only if it is what you truly want. I know how much you’ll be giving up.”

“I can swim anywhere.”

She props herself up on her elbow and looks down at me. “Swimming for Trinity isn’t the same, and you know it.”

“I’ll just be a big fish in a smaller pond now instead of a medium fish in a huge pond. It’s not like I’m planning on swimming professionally or trying for the Olympics. It’s just a sport. You’re the love of my life.”

She exhales deeply and gives me one of her beautiful smiles. “I love you.” She drops her forehead to mine.

“It’s mutual.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Speaking of people I love.”

“Declan told me.”

She blinks. “Really?”

“Yeah, it was the first thing he said when we spoke earlier.”

“Like he taunted you with it.” She scowls in the direction of his room.

“Maybe, but also no. It didn’t upset me and that confused him.”

“Of course it did. He can’t even handle when I let a guy borrow a pen in class.” She turns her attention back to me. “But otherwise it really was good?”

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