I crossed the room and pulled Briar in for a bone-crushing hug. I couldn’t believe it. Finally! After over a year of fostering the adorable toddler, she was finally—officially—becoming part of our family.
I wanted to race down the hall and sweep the little girl into my arms and never let her go. But she was at her grandma’s—my mother’s, not my ex-in-laws.
Mom had moved to LA to be closer to her family. And to help out with all her grandchildren. Because in her eyes—and ours—there was no difference between Zoe and Wynter being part of the family.
But now it was official!
I grinned down at the woman in my arms. “I thought the day you married me was the best day of my life, but they just keep getting better and better.”
Briar grinned back at me. “Pretty sure you said the same thing after we won the custody battle with your ex-in-laws.”
“That was a great day too.”
We’d tried mediation with Ariel’s family, but when I’d stood adamant on the no media requirement to visitation, they’d refused. The case had drawn out so long Briar and I were able to get married. Between her good influence, the obvious public support, and our judge’s ability to see through bullshit, we’d finally won.
That hadn’t stopped them from pushing the woe-is-me narrative in some newspapers. I’d finally given in to Jayne’s demands and gave an interview about my personal life—Ariel’s death, her parents’ battling for custody, Briar, and our lawsuit against Adam. He didn’t have any money, but now he wouldn’tever work in Hollywood again. After the interview aired, attention ramped up for a time, but at least it made Ariel’s parents back down. Literally no one was Team Bloodsuckers.
“So what do you want to do?” I asked the woman in my arms. “Have a party? Wait, when’s the court date?”
“Does it matter?” Briar laughed. “It’s not like you have anything else on your calendar.”
“I can think of one thing…” I raised my eyebrows.
“Hmmm.” Briar raised an eyebrow. “Okay, but it’ll have to be a quickie. I’m supposed to meet Lyla for lunch soon, and you need to pick up the girls from their grandma’s house.”
My lips cruised down her neck as my fingers worked on the buttons on her blouse. “My apologies to Lyla, but I think you’re going to be late.”
The End