“I would never ask that.” My gaze drifts back to the pictures. How many times did I wish for a sibling when I was growing up? Someone who got it in a way the adults around me never did. Someone who would have my back and I’d have theirs. It was a childish fantasy at the time—I know better than to think sibling relationships are without complications—but apparently the remnants haven’t quite left me. “They shouldn’t be separated.”
I relax against her and close my eyes. This is a big decision, but is it really? We knew from the start that we wanted kids—as in multiple—and maybe this isn’t quite the route we’d decided on, but the end result is still the same. I wrap my arms around Malone and slide my fingers through her short hair. “Hey.”
She pulls me a little closer and her lips curve. “Hi.”
“I love you. You know that, right?”
Malone dips her hands beneath my tank top and lightly grips my hips. “I love you, too.”
That’s what it comes down to. We love each other. The last year hasn’t been without its hiccups, but our feelings have never changed and, if anything, they’ve only gotten stronger. We’ve found compromise after compromise that works for both of us, and we’ve created a life that works. One where we’re happy. Really fucking happy. I smile. “Let’s do it. If you’re onboard, then I’m onboard.”
She goes so still, I’m not sure she’s breathing. “Are you sure?”
I answer as honestly as I can. “I’m a little freaked out, but I think it’s just nerves. I’d be freaked out no matter when this happened because it’s such a big step. No matter how sure I am, of course I’m going to be nervous about a big life change like adopting a kid. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to do it. I do.” I give a shaky laugh. “What first-time parent isn’t nervous, even if they did the whole pregnancy thing? Tink and Hook are a fucking mess, and they are going to be amazing parents.”
“I’m nervous, too.” She says it so softly, it’s barely above a whisper. “My mother was a good mother, but she wasn’t exactly warm. What if I damage them?”
Strangely enough, her nerves calm mine. I cup her face with my hands. She might not be warm, but that’s not all there is to life. “Malone, you are one of the most caring people I know. You’re going to be a great mother.”
“Are you sure?”
We’ve had this conversation before. Multiple times. We both have plenty of baggage to bring to the table, though Malone’s upbringing wasn’t exactly deprived of love. But Sabine Valley is a different breed, and she’s achingly aware of that since we started talking about kids. I press a light kiss to her lips. “If you aren’t sure, we can wait.”
Her grip tightens on me. “I don’t want to wait.” Already, there’s a possessive thread in her tone, and it makes me smile as she says, “I’m sure.”
I let loose a light laugh. “Then let’s do this.” It’s not as simple as that, but even before we put in the paperwork to prepare for the adoption process, we had a plan for what parenthood would look like with the two of us. I’ll cut back my hours in the Underworld and Malone will delegate a little more aggressively to create time on her end as well. We haven’t outfitted the spare bedroom into a child’s bedroom, but we have a full list of all the things we’ll need, as well as decorating choices because… of course we do.
Malone kisses me, and I can feel her confidence settling through her again, piece by piece. It might be strange that her doubt makes me love her more, but I’m so glad we talked through this. I feel fucking good about this. I lift my head enough to say, “When do we let them know?”
“In about an hour.” She presses one last kiss to my lips and guides me back a step. “Have you eaten anything since I saw you last?”
My skin heats and I can’t quite hold her gaze. “It was a busy night.” And I don’t normally like to eat meals while I’m on shift. It’s easier to inhale a power bar or something like that.
“Thought so.” She gives my ass a squeeze and releases me. “Go take a shower and I’ll heat up some egg drop soup for you.”
My stomach chooses that moment to growl and I laugh a little. “Sounds good.” I take one step away and hesitate. “Malone?”
“Yes?”
“I’m really, really happy.” Happier than I ever could have dreamed. It still blows my mind a little bit that I’ve found this with Malone, but I wouldn’t change a thing for the world.
Her smile is warm and wide. “I’m happy, too. Now, go take that shower.” She lets out a surprisingly light laugh. “We’re about to be parents.”