Page 108 of Castings & Curses

“I love you too!” I watched as she maneuvered the van around the tail end of the firetruck and drove off. I turned back to Dylan.

“I didn’t want to do this with Liv around. You see, I adore that little girl.” I leaned in close and let my teeth out. “I wouldn’t want to frighten her in any way, you, however.”

I let the eldritch anger of my ancestors into my voice. My nails grew thick and black. I rest the tip of one nail against Dylan’s chest. “This is a threat. If you so much as come into this part of the state, I will know. When the release of custody papers come, you will sign them immediately. And if you so much as send a lawyer after Paisley, or make the mistake that you think you can come after me, I own half of Hamilton County. I make the kind of money your lawyer has wet dreams about. I can keep you in litigation until you have to file bankruptcy or die. It doesn’t matter which one comes first. Have I made myself clear, Dylan?”

I flicked my nail against the top button of his shirt and sent it flying.

He stood there, staring at me, not one muscle even twitching. I almost thought he hadn’t heard me until I smelled his reaction.

Regaining my posture, I willed my nails and teeth to recede. I gave him another moment to answer. When he didn’t, I turned to leave. It was juvenile of me, but I couldn’t help it. I spun and shouted, “Boo!”

I stood there laughing like some fool idiot as Dylan fell over in his attempt to run away.

“Dupree! Get your ass over here!”

I was still laughing as I jogged back to the truck.

* * *

Paisleyand the girls were all snuggled together on the couch. I felt like I had been ostracized to the far end.

Pizza boxes were open on the table in front of us, and a live action version of a cartoon I had watched when I was their age was on the big screen. It was amazing. It was as close to perfect as I could ever hope for.

“How soon do you think you could pack up and have your things here?” I asked.

“Daddy, hush, movie,” Sarina chastised me.

Paisley glanced at my daughter and then gave me a sympathetic smile and shook her head.

“Or do you want to get married first? You know before you move in?”

“Sh, movie!” Liv added.

Paisley picked up the remote and paused the movie.

Liv turned to whine at Paisley, but she had her hand up and covered all of the girl’s face.

“What did you just say?” Paisley asked.

“I wanted to know how soon before you and Liv move in with us, or if you’d rather wait until we get married first?”

The girls erupted in screams. Paisley just stared at me with wide eyes and a trembling chin.

I slid to the floor in front of her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

“I want to get married before the baby comes. We can fly to Vegas tomorrow or call the minister at Duchamp Presbyterian and see how soon he can fit us in.”

I held onto her and fell into the pool of her eyes. Sarina and Liv were dancing on the couch.

She just stared at me for the longest time before reaching out and touching my face as if I wasn’t really here.

“You really want to marry me?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. I can’t make you say yes, but say yes.”

She nodded her head slowly, and then more vigorously, and then her arms were around my neck, and she rained kisses down on my face. “Yes, I will marry you.”

EPILOGUE

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