Page 74 of Island Protector

On a joyful screech Bryce jumped up and down. The boat rocked but Molly didn’t even flinch. “Yes! I get a dad. The best dad ever!” he sing-songed loud enough for the world to hear. Then he threw himself into Miles’s arms and they hugged each other as a family.

Miles never wanted the moment to end, but a crowd was gathering and they needed to get warm.

Epilogue

“Can we get married right away?”Molly asked a few days later as they watched the sun set from the porch swing at his house.

She couldn’t think of any reason to wait and she was eager to be a family. Caldwell had arrested Clinton. Knox had found the truck he’d used in the collision in a rundown garage on an abandoned lot just across the bridge to Charleston. Photos and messages had been found on the cell phone he’d left at his motel room. According to Jess, the man was singing like a canary about the whole operation.

“I don’t mean to push,” Molly continued. “It’s just so wonderful to be happy and I want to celebrate that with everyone.” It was silly, most of the town would never know all the details of their ordeal. Still, she felt the need to include as many people in her joy as possible.

“You just want to move into my place and redecorate.”

They both knew that was the last thing on her mind. “A definite perk,” she teased.

The wind glided through the marsh grass and the swing swayed gently with little effort fromMiles.

He pulled her closer. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to wait. Just a little while. A few months maybe.”

For a moment a swell of old doubts washed over her, but she shoved them aside. She wasn’t an awkward teenager looking for her path. She was strong and confident and a good mom. A good mom who somehow managed to find the man perfect for her. And her son.

The days of doubt were gone. She knew he loved her, so there had to be a good reason behind his request.

“Would you care to elaborate?” she asked.

“When we get married, I’d like us to be a real family. I want to adopt Bryce as my own. If you don’t have any objections.”

Overwhelmed, a bit awestruck at how like-minded they were, she rested her hand on his chest. His heart pounded under her palm. “He is yours in every way that matters.” The fact that they were sitting at his house having this conversation was ample proof. “I hoped you’d want that, but I didn’t want to push.”

“You can push, Molly. You can tell me what you need.” He nuzzled her neck. “Or desire.”

“You’ve made that clear.” She kissed his jaw. She needed to be brave here and careful with the tender feelings he didn’t always acknowledge. “Any hesitation is due to my issues, not yours. I’ve been trying to stay out of family court. Remember?”

He chuckled.

“Besides, I don’t need a judge to confirm that you’re his father. Neither does Bryce. But it will be amazing when our names match.” She’d done a little homework, spoken with Wilt about the adoption process too. Just in case.

“You’re sure about taking my name?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I’m honored. How amazing will it be, building a family together?”

“Then you’re not worried about my past?”

She shook her head. “Everyone has skeletons. But we’ve proven over and over that we can overcome anything, together. And the Guardian Agency won’t leave us hanging.”

“True. I’ll probably map out a few egress routes, just in case.”

She laughed and snuggled closer. “Do what you need to do. No one sheds all their baggage in one day.”

He was quiet for several minutes and she reveled in the wonder of being with him. “You know, I spoke with Mr. Devaney. There’s no time limit on when a step parent can adopt.” Miles tensed, but she was sure it was happy anticipation. “He can start the paperwork whenever you’re ready.”

“Seriously?”

“Of course. He says we could all be official on the same day. If that’s what you want.”

“More than anything!” He kissed her soundly.

“So, we can set a date for the wedding?”

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