Page 95 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

He just married me anyway.

With no promise of reciprocation.

With no assurance he’ll get anything back from what he gives.

Unconditional love like this is my favorite thing in the entire world.

“Can I say something stupid?” I whisper, as a tear slips down my cheek to soak into his apron.

“I’m not sure anything will top asking me to put on a maid uniform, so go right ahead.”

Breath quivering, I whisper, “You’re…a good guy.”

The Smash Bros. theme fills the air around us.

Alexios curls a finger beneath my chin, forcing my weepy gaze to meet his eyes. “My angel…” His brow twitches. “Why was that classified as astupidthing to say?”

I frown. “Don’t question me.” Pulling myself back together, I dust the potato chip off my lap, grab my controller, and watch Alexios pull his glove back on. He plucks the chip from the carpet and delivers it to the trash before taking up his controller again, too.

His eye catches mine as he sits back down—in a floof of skirts. “What?”

“The uniform really suits you. Like. Personality-wise, too.”

Exhaling a laugh, he puts his normal clothes back on, hooks an arm around me, and murmurs, “Shut up,” as he selects his characters.

Chapter 23

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Vengeance is of the Lord. I am but His wee helpmate.

“Zahra!” Alexios calls while I am enjoying the loveliest of Memorial Days at the kitchen table with my little baby boy.

He coos, so I coo back, and he blesses me with a gummy smile, green eyes all a-sparkle. My heart swells. I’m positive I missed his first smile while I was at work, based on the fact Alexios has adamantly deflected any questions concerning it.

If I miss his first laugh, I will cry.

“Zahra!” Alexios snaps.

I smirk. “That strange man who lives with us is making a lot of noise this morning, isn’t he, baby?”

Huffing and stomping, Alexios marches into the kitchen, a tiny plastic mushroom pinched between his fingers.

I beam. “Hello, husband. What fair weather we’re having, no?” Rising from my chair, I cuddle my happy baby. “I was just about to give Ash some tummy time. Wouldst thou find merriment in joining us?”

Alexios’s nostrils flare as he holds up the tiny plastic mushroom.

One of one hundred and twenty tiny plastic mushrooms, mind you.

“What is this?” he asks. “What areallof this? In my room. Right now.” He tosses his arms together, crossing them. “I— I just—Why?How?When?”

Because I felt like it. Amazon. Last night, while he was passed out downstairs with Ash.

Consider yourselfshroomed, husband.

Adopting baffled innocence, I rock Ash. “Why are you blaming me for whatever misfortune has befallen you,husband?”

Closing his eyes, he releases a short breath. “Because, snowflake, your scent is on every tiny plastic abomination.”

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