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“How’d you get so s her into his lap

“Years of school and interaction with children from all different walks of life These little people arean arainst his shoulder “She’s half you, Snake, she’s strong and resilient A year out, things will look completely different I pro him to relax

“You know I can’t do this without you, don’t you? You’re my center”

She kissed his cheek

“No, I mean this” He cupped her face “I want you to be mine forever, Es Will you marry me?”

Her es recently Maybe this was more about his need for stability

“I don’t want to say yes, if this is asked for the wrong reason”

“What are you talking about, Es? I love the hell out of you”

“Yes, and you also need stability for Jocelyn and security in case you have to battle for custody”

“Fuck all of that What we had going was headed this way before the other issues were in the picture” His body tensed “So what, you want me to prove myself?”

“No I want you to askevent happen Everything between us has been going at hyper speed I think we need ti Kali she wasn’t sure of her place, and he’d tried to give her one

“If it wasn’t connected, ould your answer be?”

“Yes”

“Next time I ask …”

“We’ll both be ready” It was a promise she felt to the depths of her soul