Page 31 of All The Happily Ever Afters

He crawls on the bed closer to me, balancing a cup of coffee in his hand. Peppermint coffee, my favorite this time of year.Mmm.I reach out and take the hot mug from him, giving him a sweet kiss before taking a sip.

Coffee is my life source now.

I work nonstop, but I love it. Being a social worker has made me feel like I’m finally giving back in the way I was always meant to. I feel complete in my career, even more so with Vinny in my life.

My engagement ring clicks on the ceramic mug and the bright light from the morning sun shining through the windows makes it sparkle. Every time I look down at the ring, I feel whole. I love Vinny more and more with each passing day.

Ever since that night, we’ve exposed ourselves completely to one another. I never believed in love at first sight, but all those years ago, that feeling in my chest was special after all. It had to have been love for us to fit so perfectly together. I know it.

We’re gonna start trying to have a baby on New Year's Eve, but the wedding comes first.A Christmas wedding.The thought makes me practically shake with delight.

I set the mug down on the nightstand as he curls up next to me, pulling my back into his hard chest. My ass nestles into his crotch and I wiggle a little, wanting him to know that I want him.

I always want him.

His rough chuckle vibrates up my back, and his soft breath tickles my neck.

“Careful what you wish for, Cherry,” he warns.

I bite my lip and roll over in his arms.

“So what do you want for Christmas?” I ask him. I already know the answer though. He told me he wanted to donate toys to the orphanage, so that’s going to be our tradition every year. And that’s all he wants. Even for our wedding, in lieu of gifts we asked for donations to the orphanage. Especially now that my work deals with a few of the kids there.

No one ever found out what we did last year. We got away without a single soul knowing, and Morose went to jail for the crimes he committed.

Sometimes everything just works out perfectly.

“I already told you,” he says softly before leaning in for a kiss.

I smile against his lips.

“All I want is you,” he says again, and it makes me feel so full of love.

I brush his hair away from his face and say, “I love you, Vinny.”

I whisper the words, and I mean them with everything in me.

He kisses me sweetly and says, “I love you too, Cherry.”

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