Page 209 of Sins of Innocence

I laugh, but inside my heart is expanding until it feels like it's going to burst from my chest. "The deed is in my name."

"Yes."

"Why?" I clutch the stack of papers tightly.

He looks puzzled by the question. "Because it's yours."

I stare at him. "But..."

He steps closer and his hands settle on my hips, pulling me closer so the deed is pressed between our bodies. "You're my wife."

My throat grows tight.

He brushes the hair back from my temple. "The girls are my daughters."

Tears blur his gorgeous face.

"This is your home," he promises. "Always."

My knees threaten mutiny.

"If something happens to me, you and our girls will always have a home and you will only ever work because you want to."

Because our marriage is real. What's mine is his and that means he has a family. What's his is mine and that means, I never have to worry about finances again.

But the most important thing he has that I know I own is his heart.

The fear I've carried ever since he suggested moving crashes into pieces at my feet. I was so afraid to trust this. To step into the changes happening too fast in my life. Afraid to believe.

He knew and never told me to stop being afraid. He built around it.

I snuggle into him, breathing in his scent. Warmth. Safety. Home.

"I couldn't help noticing the two empty bedrooms upstairs," I say into his chest. "Now I know they aren't for an office, how do you propose we fill them?"

His heart starts hammering under my ear, but he doesn't answer.

"When the IUD comes out...I won't replace it."

His arms tighten convulsively around me. "I'd like that, baby girl."

Downstairs, Joy shrieks that she found the perfect place for a puppy.

My mother tells her absolutely not.

Sadie starts laughing.

Neeve corrects everyone on the difference between castles and Queen Anne architecture.

I lean against my husband and listen to the sound of our family.

Dreams and forever are a lot less frightening when they have an address.

Chapter forty-six

Forever Families

ÁINE