Page 99 of Ronan

“Because ya sound more like a Scot with each passing year,” I tease.

“Go fuck yerself.”

I tug my sister into my arms and kiss the top of her head as I squish her. “It’s nothing personal. I’m protecting my wife. I’m sorry if I hurt ya.”

“It’s because of the name ye called her, isn’t it? Ye didn’t call her Dean. Ya called her Danika.”

“Aye, yer a smart one. It’s important we all continue to call her Dean and never mention her real name to anyone. I don’t think I’m going to tell anyone I’m married for a while. Not until I get some things sorted out.”

“Fine, yer secret is safe with me. I’m happy for ya, Ro. May ya have many years of happiness together.”

“Aye, thank ya. Now come have a drink with me. Ya sound too sober.”

She laughs and elbows me in the side. “I think the lot of ye have had enough to drink for the entire family. Those not here included.”

I roar with laughter. “Aye, ya might be right.”

* * *

Dean

I’m married.Ronan and I actually got married. The only thing that could have made this night better would have been if my uncle could have been here to give me away.

I did find comfort in knowing Ronan was a friend of Uncle Freddie’s. I do believe he had been trying to guide me to him somehow. When I get home, I want to read that letter once more.

I know it’s time to revisit all my uncle had to say. The signs are all there. First, LaSalle. Then, Ronan. Things are panning out just as he said they would.

There’s one more thing that’s supposed to happen to mark when I’m needed. I’m almost afraid to celebrate this moment. I don’t know how long I’ll have it.

All day I’ve been waiting to wake up and find out that none of this has been real. It feels like I’m floating. I don’t want to take my dress off because that might be the trigger for it all to go away.

So here I stand, looking into the mirror in Ronan’s upgraded suite. As if the one he had been in wasn’t nice enough. We are now staying the next few nights in a honeymoon suite. A honeymoon. I’m on my honeymoon.

This is so surreal. I gave up on this dream so many years ago. Now look at me.

“Aye, I can’t take my eyes off ya either,” Ronan says as he walks up behind me and places his hands on my upper arms. He then dips his head to kiss my neck and inhales deeply. “Ya make the most beautiful bride in the world, ya do.”

As I soak him in, I look at us and the sight we make together. We look like two movie stars. I can’t help but be excited for the movie we’ll be making together.

“What are ya thinking about?” he moves to say in my ear.

“Our life together and what it will look like. Where will we live? Do I give up Uncle Freddie’s place to move in with you? Would you want to come live with me at the brownstone?

“I don’t have a doggie apartment. We’d need to make some other arrangements for them. What is it you really do?

“Do I want to know? These are things normal couples figure out before getting married. Why didn’t we sign prenups? This is?—”

Ronan spins me to face him and devours my lips to shut me up. I relax and wrap my arms around his waist. He breaks the kiss and hugs me to his chest.

“Prenups are for people who will break up. I intend to take my last breath as yer husband and with ya as my wife. If I hurt ya then ya deserve half of everything I own. I wouldn’t even fight ya.”

“Now see, I’m not giving you half of shit. Do you know what I’m worth? I should’ve made your ass sign a prenup.”

He begins to rock me from side to side. I place my face against his chest and sigh. It’s crazy how he knows how to keep me from spiraling.

“If it bothers ya that much, we can get an annulment and sign whatever ya like. Then get married again if it means I get to watch ya walk down the aisle to me again.”

I lift my head and look up at him. He’s smiling and trying not to laugh. I pinch his back and poke my tongue out at him.

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