“Monster asked me to marry him and I said yes.”
Gia’s jaw dropped. “Monster? Tall, quiet, and slightly menacing member of the Dueling Devils?”
Symone laughed and nodded. “That’s the one.”
“Does he make you happy?”
“He showed me what it is to be happy,” Symone said.
“Then I’m happy for you.”
“What about you and Lefty?”
“Hah, if it were up to him, we’d be pregnant right now.” Gia rolled her eyes. “He’s like a damn steamroller when he wants something.”
Symone snorted. “I think it’s a Dueling Devils trait.”
“Monster too?”
“Oh yeah, but he’s been very patient. I’m lucky to have found him.”
They spent the rest of the morning catching up on the time lost. The band around her heart loosened with every minute that passed. It would be a battle to air the ugliness and go through the pain of proper healing.
But it would be worth it. Around noon, they received a text.
“Baby born at 11:30. Ardy is resting and Baby Girl is doing just fine.”
Gia laughed. “I bet he called her baby girl because they didn’t pick a name. Those two were on different planets when it came to names for a little girl.”
“You’re close to them?” Symone asked, genuinely interested.
“I am. Ardy’s become a great friend.”
“I feel the same way about Chase.”
“Yeah, I thought the two of you would get along well. I wouldn’t have left you here otherwise.”
“That was more than I deserved at the time.”
“No, it really wasn’t.” Gia stood. “I want to get her some flowers and maybe a pink blanket for the newest bundle.”
“Alright. Monster said he’d swing by when his shift was over, so I’ll stay here and wait for him while those closest to the family visit.” She walked her to the door. “I’ll talk to you soon?”
“Yes, you will,” Gia agreed.
As she walked out of the apartment, a new sense of balance accosted her. With every step forward she made, another chain linking her to the past gave way.
* * * *
The word tense didn’t come close to describing the vibe floating in the air as he did his stint of patrolling with Pan. It was a common practice to place them together to do things. Monster glanced down at his watch once more.
Twenty more minutes to freedom.
They were doing hourly sweeps of each floor, insuring Ardy’s and the newest little lady's protection. He wasn’t sure if Demon was paranoid, or he’d heard whisperings of his ex’s return. Drugs made you do crazy shit and she’d been in bad with their rivals. He couldn’t blame his Pres for erring on the side of caution.
“You going to ignore me the entire time?” Pan asked from his position propped up against the wall across from him.
“I’m not ignoring you. I just don’t have anything to say.”