Page 120 of Daniil
My mouth falls open.
“Oh.My.God.”
“It’s not their fault their father turned into a bad guy.And we just couldn’t imagine sending them to strangers.Sandor wants a hundred kids anyway, and I’m absolutely never, ever getting pregnant again, so this seemed…like a good solution all around.”
Daniil and I talked about it too.It was just hard for me to wrap my head around it, especially since I’m six weeks pregnant.I only told Daniil last night—no one else knows—and coupled with us buying Shadow Security, that’s all I can take on right now.
“Are you okay with it?”I ask softly.
She smiles.“I am.I know how much he wants a big family, and I’m starting to love the idea too.I just don’t want to be pregnant anymore.So this way, we kill multiple birds with one stone, you know?And they’re great kids.I’ve always loved them.”
“Do they know?”
“Not yet.We wanted to get through the wedding before we made any more changes to their lives.Joe has been doing the best he can, but he never wanted to be a father, much less a single father.”
I nod.“I’m happy to be Auntie Courtney, and Daniil is already Uncle Danny.”
She nods.“Someday, we’ll have to tell them about what their father did since it will most likely show up in any search on the internet, but for now, we want to give them security and love because they miss their dad.”
“You’re amazing,” I whisper, hugging her tightly.
“And now there’s finally a girl in the mix!”
We giggle together.
When I look up, I realize Daniil is finally free, so I squeeze Lennox’s arm before running to my husband and hugging him tightly.Since we’ve been married for four months, we’re not concerned with superstitions about seeing the bride before the ceremony or any of that.
“Babe.”I stare at him in wonder.“You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to.”
“Did you and Erik talk about this?”
“We talked about him releasing me from my oath—I didn’t know about any of that modification stuff.”
“It was a beautiful moment,” I whisper.“Thank you.”
“Are you okay with it?”
“I was okay with things the way they were before—or I wouldn’t have married you.I love you, Daniil.All of you.And being a Royal Protector is part of who you are.”
“I love you too.”He presses a soft kiss on my forehead since I’ve already had my hair and makeup professionally done for the wedding.
“What happens now?”I ask.
“We get married—again.”
“How many people are here?”I ask wearily.
“Guests?”He laughs.“Five hundred.”
I groan and wrinkle my nose.
“Hey, this was your idea,” he says, laughing.“I was perfectly happy with the Vegas elopement.”
“You weren’t,” I contradict gently.“You love the pomp and circumstance.Don’t hide who you are from me, Daniil.It’s part of what I love about you.That you have more than one side—that you’re complicated and unique.Caring.Handsome.”I pause.“I’m digging this cape…”
“Yeah?”His eyes twinkle.“Does that mean I get to go down on you at the reception?”
