Page 153 of Rescued
We really might have to get a swear jar. I’m sure Salem could fund his own college with how much he cusses. Jasper could fund Nora’s.
I giggle a little at the thought, and Jasper turns his attention to me. “What’s so funny?”
“Just thinking about how if I set up a swear jar, you and Salem could fund college tuitions.”
That gets a laugh from him and Salem both, though I’m not sure Nora gets the joke.
“So,” Jasper says after a second. “Doyouwant to take my last name?”
I nod. “I’d love that.”
His shoulders relax.
“We really are going to be a family, huh?” Salem asks quietly. “Forever?”
My throat goes too tight to speak, but Jasper nods. “We sure are, kid. Forever.”
Salem drops his gaze. “And we won’t be moving schools or losing friends or anything like that?”
“Never again. And you’ll never have to worry about where your next meal is coming from or if you’ll have new clothes for school. And truly… I’d really like you to let me buy your first car for you.”
Salem’s head shoots up. “That’s too much.”
I clear my throat. “Says who? We came from nothing, Salem. That doesn’t mean we have to settle for it for the rest of our lives. It doesn’t get to define us or our futures. I’ve always wanted better for you than I had. This is our chance to make sure you have it.”
He studies me, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
“It’s really not a big deal,” Jasper says. “And I know we talked about my ‘no big deal’ being different from yours. I never want to dismiss you or your feelings, but… this is normal, kid. People want to set their kids up for success. They want to buy them cars and clothes and the food they enjoy. That should be the standard.”
“I know it wasn’t the standard set for me and you,” I interject. “But… it could be. If you let us make it that.”
Salem sits in silence for a few seconds, and then he nods slowly. “Okay, but can I help pick it out?”
I nearly sag in relief. “Yeah, I think that would be totally fine.”
Jasper reaches under the table, squeezing my knee as he and Salem talk about cars, and Nora shovels pancakes in her mouth, her head whipping back and forth like this conversation is the most interesting thing she’s ever heard.
I’m not stupid. I know this isn’t our ride-off-into-the-sunset moment. It’ll take time and reassurance and probably a shitload of therapy.
Salem will need to learn to trust fully in me and in Jasper. He’ll probably backslide. Hell, Nora might too, for that matter.
But none of that matters. Not really.
No matter what, we’ll have each other. The kids will be safe and loved.I’llbe safe and loved, and I get to be safe and loved with Jasper, the man who’s held my heart from damn near the moment I met him.
It might not be our ride-off-into-the-sunset moment, but it sure is the start of our happily ever after.
Epilogue
Arlo—3 months later
“We’regonnabelate.”
Salem’s standing in the doorway of my bedroom, tapping his foot.
“I can’t be late to my own wedding.”
He scoffs. “Actually, you can be. Jasper’s gonna think you’re running away.”
