I do hate that I missed the birth of Amelia’s daughter Leann, but I didn’t miss the birth of my nephew, Zachariah, who I call my little Zackie. Boon hates it, but I don’t care. I love that little baby in a way I never thought I would love a little person. It’s to the point where I get super jealous of Aiden when he gets to see Zachariah without me. He’s so squishy and looks so much like Posey. This show was needed in my life, but I am beyond excited to get home to play my newest roles.
As the play ends, the applause is thunderous, and it reminds me of our wedding. When I sang “Come What May” for Aiden as he bawled like a baby for me. Never in my life did I think I’d see him cry like that, but he reminds me that he never thought he would ever feel such overpowering love as he did in that moment. That sentiment kept me warm at night, but I won’t need it any longer. I’ll have the real deal that is Aiden Brooks. My husband. As I take my bow, I hear Aiden shouting my name, and I’m overcome with love. I am going to miss this character. Her strength, her kindness, and her boss-ass moves are some that I’ll implement in my life.
In my future roles.
God, I can’t wait.
* * *
I don’t get far when I come out the side door before I am wrapped entirely in Aiden’s arms. I giggle loudly as he kisses me all over my face, singing my praises. “My God, you were unbelievable. And I know I say that every time, but for real, Shelli, hands down the best actress up there.”
I shush him as I laugh, wrapping my arms and legs around his body. I don’t care if people are watching, and I sure as hell don’t care what they think. I’m in the arms of my forever, and we don’t have to part for the foreseeable future. He kisses my lips, and I squeeze his neck in my arms as I kiss him back. Snowflakes land on us, and like he always does after a show, he moves his lips to my ear. I laugh loudly, holding him tight as he whispers, “You know we’re about to do it all night, right?”
With a grin that is unstoppable, I say, “Oh, totally.”
Our laughter is loud and over the top, but so is our love. He carries me for a few blocks before he finally says, “Okay, I can’t throw out my back before I get you to bed.”
I snort as he sets me to my feet. He wraps his arm around me, and I cuddle into his chest as we head to my apartment. “So, I’m pretty sure I’m Zac’s favorite.”
“Never. He just doesn’t know the love of his auntie yet.”
He gives me a dark look that’s completely playful. “That’s not fair. You’re all perfect and shit.”
I giggle, leaning into him as I kiss his jaw. “Funny, I think the same of you,” I sing to him as he kisses my temple, grinning as hard as he did the morning after our wedding night. I’m proud of that night, though my hip may never be the same.
“Everyone is ready to have you home—me, most of all.”
“Well, duh.”
“Duh,” he agrees with a wink. “We have that house to go look at, but I don’t like the pictures.”
“Then we won’t go.”
“Maybe we should try building again.”
I nod, thinking that over. “I could be down for that. Though, it’s gonna be expensive ’cause I’m expensive and we’ll need someone trustworthy.”
He laughs. “Isn’t that the damn truth. You’re gonna drive me to the poorhouse. Shit, who am I kidding? I married into money.”
I jab him in his ribs, but he just kisses me as we both laugh. As we part, our eyes lock, and snow begins to swirl around us.
Within seconds, I feel on top of the world.
“I can’t wait to wake up to you every morning,” he says, his words thick with emotion. “I’ve missed you like crazy.”
“Same. All same,” I say, cupping his jaw, and my heart starts to beat out of my chest. I’m unsure how he is going to take what I’m about to say. “I need to be honest, though.”
His eyes narrow. “That sounds very much like you have a side guy.”
I give him a dry but serious look. “Excuse me, I only throw my hip out for one man.”
Aiden’s face changes to naughty automatically as he chuckles. “That was a good night.”
“It was,” I agree, moving my thumb along his knuckles. His eyes gaze into mine, and I almost can’t say what I need to. “But I’ve been offered three more parts.”
Gone is the naughtiness, replaced by seriousness. “Oh, okay,” he says, exhaling hard. “Which ones?”