Page 134 of Don't Make Me Beg
“That’s cute,” Scout says as she admires the squirming kitten. “Kinda like Kayla?—”
“Why did you put my child in a box?” L.O.K.I. asks, cutting her off. “Do you know how dangerous that is? Anything could’ve happened.”
“Chill, L.O.K.I. She was in the box for like three minutes, tops, and I was holding her the whole time,” I assure him,holding up the box for him to see for himself. “See, she had lots of air holes.”
“It wasn’t worth the risk,” he chides, but rather than arguing, I just bite my cheek. He’s excited and not one to take his responsibilities lightly.
Scout sets Hela down, and she scurries across the floor and pounces headfirst into the box. Her little head pops out of the top, and then she dives over the side in a front roll, making a piece of tape stick to the bottom of her foot. She tears off in a sprint, trying to escape and dragging a trail of wrapping paper behind her.
“Poor baby. Did the tape try to get you,” Scout says as she rescues the kitten, cradling her to her chest. “That was scary, wasn’t it?”
“We are definitely going to need to kitten-proof this house,” L.O.K.I. says, already activating the robot vacuum cleaner and running his daily cleaning protocols. “And we’ll need to get a litter box and plenty of cat food. Also a scratching post and lots of toys so she doesn’t get bored.”
“I’ve already got it covered,” I assure him. “Hela’s automatic litter box and feeder will be delivered this afternoon, as well as a scratching post and all the toys a kitten could need.”
“We’re going to need your help taking care of her,” Scout adds. “Kittens have a lot of energy, so while Luka and I are busy working, we’re going to need you to take care of her.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m going to play with her and teach her tricks. I’ll make sure her litter box stays clean, and I’ll make sure she has plenty of food and water.”
Just then, the robot vacuum drifts through the room. It catches on a feather wand toy that sticks in its wheel. The tiny bells jingle as the feather wand drags behind, catching Hela’s attention. Her little ears perk up, and then she dives after it, chasing the vacuum back into the kitchen.
“Looks like she’s comfortable already,” Scout giggles.
A moment later, L.O.K.I. says, “Hey, watch this.”
I glance up to see a small green laser light move across the floor as Hela rips around the corner, barreling right behind it.
Then the laser disappears and L.O.K.I. turns on the AC fan, and a gust of air blows the wrapping paper, making it skid across the floor. Hela takes off in a sprint toward the ripped pile of paper, her sharp nails ripping it as she attacks it like prey.
I can already see we’re going to have our hands full with these two. And I can’t fucking wait.
“Oh my God. I can’t get over how perfect she is,” Scout says as she watches the energetic kitten bound across the room. Her little paw held high as she bats at every flying piece of paper L.O.K.I. sends her way.
But it’s not the kitten I’m looking at when I say. “I couldn’t agree more.”
My heart feels so fucking full of gratitude, I’m afraid I might burst into tears any second.
This is my family.
It may seem silly, and unconventional, but there isn’t a thing that I’d change or do differently.
I see my whole life laid out before me. Like our destinies were always meant to intertwine. Like we were always meant to find our way back to each other.
I don’t know what’s next, or what tomorrow holds, but I’m certain about one thing. As long as Scout’s by my side, we’ll have a hell of a good time figuring it out.
EPILOGUE
Luka
Six weeks later…
Things have been busy since the festival ended. Between Scout’s rising fame leading to hundreds of commission requests flooding her inbox each week, and my new non-profit kicking off, I feel like we’ve barely been able to spend time together. Even though all I want is a night in with my wife, I agreed to let my mother plan this wedding reception. It’s the least we could do considering she missed the wedding.
Besides, we’ve got the rest of our lives to cozy up on the couch and watch horror movies on Halloween. We only get one chance to celebrate our marriage with our family and closest friends—and by closest, I mean literally everyone in town.
I rap my knuckles on the bathroom door before pushing it open. Scout’s made a lot of progress with her jumpiness, but I have to admit, I do look pretty terrifying tonight…
Scout’s adding the finishing touches to her costume, and my feet come to a stop as my gaze drifts over her. “Holy shit, you look hot.”
