Page 52 of Fairy Tales are Forever

“Are you really asking me that?”I raise a brow at her, and she shakes her head.

“No.”

“This is a great idea, beautiful.It’s great for the community, it's great for you and the kids.”

“But what about you?”She cuts me off and looks up into my eyes.

“Me?I’m the one getting the most out of this because I get to see how happy this makes you.”

She softens, and I feel some of her tension leave as she leans into my side.

“Better?”I ask, and she nods.

“Much.”

Zelly takes a deep breath, and then they call her name.I hate letting her go, but when she doesn’t move, I have to nudge her a little toward the stage.

She’s being honored by the city today for donating the land for the newest community garden.It’s multiple acres we’ve had put into a land trust so that it can remain protected from development.

For years, Zelly worked in the gardens I had designed for her, and as soon as our kids learned to walk, they were out there helping right beside her.The more the years went by, the bigger it got until it was more than one family or anyone in our extended family could use.

Zelly started by donating produce to our local food bank, but pretty soon after, she started making food to donate as well.It didn’t take long before she recruited a list of dedicated volunteers and created a place where people could not only shop for produce but eat for free.

Once she outgrew that space, I helped her set up a nonprofit so she could teach people how to grow their own gardens and offer classes on canning so they could preserve food for longer.Even after all that, she designed a food delivery service for seniors in our city.

I knew that there wasn’t anything Zelly couldn’t do, and seeing her heart continue to grow has been my greatest joy in life.She finally found the cause that meant something to her and one that didn’t require fancy parties and snotty auctions.She gets in and gets her hands dirty, literally.

When she asked me about donating the land, I couldn’t have been prouder.I agreed instantly and knew it was the right thing to do.Now these gardens will be protected for a lifetime to come, and the community can benefit all year long.

She continues to amaze me in every way, and seeing her honored today is truly special.Of course, I tell her all the time how incredible she is, but seeing the city acknowledge it is especially sweet.

They say a few nice words, and when they hand her the little plaque, she looks at me with tears in her eyes.I blow her a kiss, and she laughs and then winks at me.

A few people from the community speak about how this will impact them and how grateful they are for all of Zelly’s work.

Our kids are beside us, and they cheer the loudest when it’s time to clap.Her mother and Ella and Leo are all here today too along with their kids.Seeing everyone so supportive of her work is all I’ve ever wanted for Zelly.Having her family here today was important to her, but part of me wishes we were alone.I’d love nothing more than to pull her in my arms and kiss the shit out of her.

Damn, I’m a lucky man.

After they finish with the speeches and she walks off the stage, I manage to grab her out of the crowd and hold her face while I press my lips to hers.Somewhere around us, people are whistling or cheering, I’m not sure.All I can think about is how much I love my wife.

“What was that for?”Zelly is breathy when I lean back, and I love how she still blushes from my attention.

“I wanted to make sure everyone here knows that I’m not stupid enough to ever let you go.”I brush my thumb over her bottom lip, and she grins brightly.

“Good thing you won’t make the same mistake twice.”She pokes me in the stomach before going up on her tiptoes to kiss me.“I love you.”

“I love you too, beautiful.”

THE END!

Sleepless Pact

Audrey Rose wakes from a coma to find that she’s engaged to a stranger.Deciding that being married to someone she doesn’t know is better than the life she left behind, she agrees to go along with the lie.It doesn’t hurt that his touch sends a shiver down her spine.

Phillip Howard takes one look at the sleeping beauty and knows there’s no way he’s living without her.Thankfully when he lays his claim she seems to be in total agreement.Although he should be suspicious he’s too busy trying to get her back into bed.

Warning: Fairy tales are forever so grab your pajamas and get ready for the best kind of bedtime story.We’ve given these classic tales our own sprinkle of love and can’t wait for you to roll around in them.

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