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“Like you?” Izzy said with a smile “Yes, I do, Holly I don’t knohy you think I don’t like you, but I promise you I do”

“It’s the resting bitch face,” LJ said, and he received another er frohed

“You’re family There is supposed to be a Joy in this world as born on Dece is supposed to have an eleven-year-old daughter named Mary All of us in this room here have seen how evil the world can be And how often there is suffering and heartache We’re just trying to put a little joy back in the world” She extended a hand to Jig, who captured it with his then brought it to his lips for a lingering kiss

Holly’s insides had never felt so war time, Holly truly knew she was loved Not in the romantic way LJ showed her every day but cherished by her family Sure, none of them were blood, but she’d learned over the past fewuarantee loyalty, respect, or coiven her all that and more

They gave her Joy

“I don’t knohat to say This is the iven me”

LJ’s arht tremor in her arms, she crossed them over LJ’s

“Thank you,” she whispered The words seemed so inadequate an expression of the wonder and appreciation she felt for what they had given her But thank you was all she couldlike a baby As it was, she had to blink about a h they were tears of happiness, Holly refused to let the that could be misconstrued as sadness would be allowed in that room today

“There isn’t anything to thank us for,” Jig said as he held out his arms for the baby

Izzy immediately passed Joy to her father Holly’s heart nearly stopped at the look of bliss that passed over the stern man’s face

Apparently, all it took to turn big tough bikers to irl

“Well,” Holly said, suddenly experiencing the urge to lighten the heavy et cookies and brownies for life”

“And that’s e really did it,” Izzy said as she held her hand up for a high-five fro “Score, baby!”

“Well, now that we’re out of the serious part of today’s prograar?” LJ asked as he unwound his arms from her