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“Pizza is great,” I assure hiht now As Dax pulls down soe, I start a rocery run I’ll make tomorrow

Dax serves up gooey slices of New York-style pizza, and we sit side by side at the island He nods toward several plastic bags of varying sizes “There’s a bunch of gift certificates in those bags for you Target, Bed Bath and Beyond Stuff like that I want you to go out and get whatever you need to make your room your own Decorate it, buy a fluffy comforter… whatever I want this to be a real home to you”

I freeze with a pizza slice halfway toe wave of tears When I don’t respond, Dax’s head swivels His eyes are expectant before they fill with concern

“What’s wrong?” he asks suddenly

I shakeat hiuely aware of a dollop ofto my plate Tears start to cloud my vision Before Dax turns totally blurry, I see awareness in his expression as he starts shaking his head adamantly

“Don’t,” he orders with authority, setting his pizza down I start blinking the wetness ahen he growls, “Don’t start fucking crying on an I can’t handle it”

“I won’t,” I aze and my slice of pizza to the plate A tear drops on the back of my hand

“Fuck,” Dax ru I know, his ar e bear hug, cohtly I feel his s are really hard on you right now, and I’veyou here I’ to do”

“I’m not upset about that,” I say into his chest, then pull my head away so I can look up at hi ot to ht now Not with Lance dead”

“You have a home here with me,” he assure me “You’re safe, and you’re not alone”

It’s a powerful state to hit up the courthouse toet married, it strikes me a little more personally than it should