Page 93 of Accepted Precedent
“See!” Grace beams.
“He said yes, everyone!” Ileah squeals into the microphone.
Finn takes it from her and grumbles, “She couldn’t wait an hour for me.” He pulls a ring box from his jacket and removes the ring, tossing the box haphazardly aside. “I wanted to propose to you inside the library, among the stacks of stories about love and overcoming impossible odds. Nothing would make me happier than to call you my wife.”
He slides the ring onto Ileah’s finger and kisses her again, then Mickey ushers them offstage. I take the kids’ hands and we make our way over to congratulate them. Mick is already talking toFinn, and as we approach, I overhear Finn say, “Did you ask her about the research regarding…you know?”
Mick nods. “Aye. The country isn’t that progressive yet.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Go celebrate,” he sighs. Spotting me behind Finn, he pins me with a smoldering glare that usually means I’ll be bent over the nearest surface in under a minute. “We’ll debrief tomorrow.”
“Congrats, Finn.”
“Thanks, darlin’.” The kids give him a quick hug around his legs, then he kisses me on the cheek. “Good to see you. I better get back to my fiancée.”
Finn leaves and Mick leans in, brushing an innocent kiss on my cheek, just like Finn. “Hey, angel.” His voice is low and dark, making my heart skip a beat.
“What did you mean by the country isn’t that progressive yet?”
“For people to know about…” He glances down at our kids.
“It’s time the world knew the truth,” I blurt.
He freezes and carefully asks, “How much of the truth?”
“Jaclyn and Ileah want Kristin to handle the campaign. We don’t have to tell everyone about…” I also look down at the twins, then return my gaze to Mick. “It’s risky, but it’s time for you to walk away from all of it.”
Mick’s about to say something when Grace reaches for him. He slings her onto his hip, and as she wraps her little arms around his neck, he kisses her temple. “Hey, beautiful. Have you been good for your mam?”
“I was!” she coos. “Brandon also. We talkedonce. Mommy was good too.”
I laugh under my breath, but my giggles are cut short as he closes the small distance, tilting my chin to kiss me. I gasp—our kids have never seen more than a peck on the cheek. “Mick!”
“Yes, love?” he mutters against my lips, before pulling back. “You’re right. It’s about time the world knows you’re mine.”
Kristin clears her throat behind me. “I have my hands full with whatever that double engagement was, and the launch of the campaign. Could you two make my life a little easier and keep the PDAs to a minimum when there are cameras literally everywhere?”
“Your life is about to be a lot busier, Ms. Proctor. It’s time.”
She sucks in a breath. “What? No, it’s not. I can’t. You… No, just no.”
“I have all the confidence in the world that you’re ready.”
“What’s she talking about?” I ask, brows pinched.
“He’s wrong, but why don’t I take the kids while Mickey fills you in? Come on, munchkins.” She offers her hand to Brandon, and Mick sets Grace down to go with her.
“No sugar,” I remind her as she leads them away.
“All right, Mick, what are you up to?”
“Your sister will be running everything from here on out,” he explains. “It’s a little earlier than we planned, but I’m done waiting to be with you.” He tucks a few rogue strands of hair behind my ear. “We’ll keep everything quiet—and I’ll be able to help her with whatever she needs—but it’s time I gave our kidsthe life they deserve. You’re not just raising our children. You’re managing our empire. And it’s about time you weren’t doing it alone.”
Ignoring Kristin’s warning about cameras, I slide my hands up his chest and lift onto my toes to kiss him. “I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you, angel.”
