Page 115 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
"We're really not," Cecie says.
"You really are." He winks. "Enjoy it. And get some sleep. You'll need it." He leaves.
Cecie and I shiver in the cold, staring at each other.
"We're going to be in the paper," she says.
"Front page," I confirm.
"Everyone will see." Her brow arches.
"Everyone." I nod.
"My mother's going to call. Her baby girl has hooked up with an orc. Her grandchildren are half-orc."
"Yes, we make quite a pair. Our children are beautiful."
"Your coworkers will have opinions."
"Definitely." I can already hear their comments.
She's quiet. Then. Soft. "I don't hate it."
"No?"
"No. I spent so long hiding. Being invisible. And now. I don't know. It feels. Good. To be seen."
"You've always been worth seeing."
"Cheesy again."
"It's my brand."
She kisses me. Quick. "Let's go home."
"Yeah. Let's."
We load Orry into the car. Drive through empty streets.
My hand finds Cecie's. She squeezes.
Somewhere in the darkness, a phone buzzes. Notifications rolling in. The photo spread.
But right now, it's just us. Our tiny, chaotic,visiblefamily.
CECIE
Three months later, I'm standing in the back room of Sparkle Beauty, trying not to sweat through my dress.
"Hold still." My mother tugs at the zipper. "You're fidgeting."
"I'm pregnant and wearing Spanx. I'm allowed to fidget."
"Language, Cecelia."
"It's my wedding day. I'll swear if I want to. Besides, I didn't swear."
She sighs. Steps back. Studies me with that look mothers have when their daughters do something simultaneously wonderful and terrifying.
