Page 69 of Silver Sanctuary
“Hey, Sloane!” Lacy stopped several feet away from theelevator, where Sloane was clearly trying to take some measured breaths. “I just… please don’t feel like you have to be there this morning. If it’s too much, I understand. It would mean the world to Nash to have you there, and to me, of course. But we both would understand. You’ve already done so much for us.”
The elevator opened and Sloane stepped inside. Just before the doors closed, her hand reached out and stopped them. “I’ll try, Lacy. I am… I am trying. I just need time. I want to be there—I willtryto be there.”
“Thank you. And thank you for coming this morning.”
A curt nod was all she got back, but it felt like they had broken through the wall that was holding them back. And whether or not Sloane and Gage showed up, she knew they only wanted the best for Nash—the best for her.
Lacy made her way back to the apartment, smiling as Lily and Mae fussed over Embrie.
“Ladybug, it’s time to go get your dress on. Think you can manage on your own?”
“Mom!” Her eyes rolled as her hands landed on her hips. “Of course I can! I’ve been getting myself dressed for years now!”
The women all laughed.
“How could I forget? Okay, go. I’ll do your hair when you come out.”
Embrie skipped out of the room, and Lacy felt Lily and Mae’s eyes land on her.
“So…”
“So?”
“How are you feeling about all this? Truly?” Lily whispered.
“Like I’m taking advantage of the kindest man I’ve ever met. Like I have nothing to offer him and whendisaster follows me, which it always does, I’m going to drag down someone who I respect so deeply.”
“And love?” Mae crinkled her eyebrows.
“We said it to each other yesterday, but I’m afraid to keep saying it out loud,” Lacy admitted, picking up the rose-petal lipstick Lily had brought for her to use. “Like if I keep reminding the universe I’m happy, everything will be snatched away.”
“Take it from someone who went through a very similar situation… Although it wasn’t my parents trying to take her away, it was Sage’s paternal grandparents, but those men downstairs, all of them, will do everything in their power to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you or Embrie again. And it will be Nash leading the charge every time.”
“I just have this sinking feeling that I’m going to ruin everything. He’s so happy about this—so sure. But this isn’t how life goes for me.”
“Isn’t that why you came back to Silver Springs though?” Mae asked. “For a reset? To make a better life for you and Brie?”
Lacy nodded, trying to ignore the lump in her throat.
“It’s all going to work out. You have to have faith. I saw the way Nash floated into the room after meeting you for the first time. He had this goofy smile on his face as he handed a bunch of flowers to Sloane. And then he kept pressing us to stop by Petals—you remember that, Mae?”
“How could I forget? He was not subtle about it in any way.”
Lacy laughed. Nash had given her so much more than his own protection and safety. He’d given her friends that she knew would have her back, and a family she could have never dreamed of having.
“Let yourself open up to the possibility of this working out in the most beautiful way. Because for Nash, this is thestart of his forever. And you can allow yourself to believe it’s the start of your new forever, too.”
The girls put the finishing touches on Lacy’s hair and makeup, and then helped her get dressed. She wanted to cry when she saw herself in the mirror for the first time, but held back the tears. The tears started flowing, though, when she saw Embrie in her dress. She looked so grown up, and all Lacy could think about was the first time she held her in her arms. How she promised her that, one day, everything would be okay.
And it finally felt like it really might be.
Lily walked out of the bathroom, her and Sage now dressed in their outfits for the wedding. “Okay, I just messaged Gunner to let him know we’re on our way down. Let’s get you married!”
A minute later, Lacy walked off the elevator, holding Embrie’s hand in hers. Knowing Nash was waiting on the other side of the doors, just inside the Montgomery Defense office, had her head swimming.
She knelt down, taking Embrie’s other hand and bringing them both up to her heart.
“Ladybug, are you sure you’re okay with this? I know Nash and I talked to you when we moved in and he asked me to marry him, but if you’re not comfortable with it?—”
