“Lu.” I brush away the tears trickling down her cheeks, and they warm my fingers. The lights flicker overhead again. “You’ve already seen me at my worst. The day I gave you ten grand and told you to move out was my worst, my lowest. You’ve had that, so I want to give you my best now. For the rest of my life.”
Luna rests her head on my chest again while the lights continue doing their light show overhead. We both watch it like fireworks and lightning, neither of us saying anything more. I stroke her hair, and she leans deeper against me, her cheek resting against my heartbeat. Overhead, there’s a loud bang, bang, bang of heavy footsteps, followed by an epic crash.
“Shit,” Luna curses. “I guess that would be the new TV.”
I brush another strand of hair out of her face, and I don’t stop grinning. I don’t think I could stop if my life depended on it, so it’s a good thing it doesn’t. “I’ll buy you a new one. And this time, I’ll bolt it to the wall.”
Together, we both go back to watching the light show. “Thanks, Tor,” Luna whispers. “For everything.”
“Ditto, cursed soulmate and love of my life. Ditto.”
EPILOGUE
Luna
I can’t wait to give Toren my gift. We’ve been officially dating again for six months, and I know it’s time. I know he’s the love of my life, and I also know he’s always been the love of my life. I don’t mind being cursed one bit, even if the lights sometimes flicker when I put the bracelet on, which has become an inside joke for us now. I’m just so glad Toren came back into my and Milo’s life. I know the timing might have been off, but I’ve gotten over dwelling on the past and the what-ifs. Things worked out, and we have each other now. We’re finally a family. We have each other forever, and we’re always going to be a family.
I’ve been waiting all day to give Toren his surprise. I had to tuck Milo in, and given that it was Christmas today, he was so overstimulated and overexcited that he couldn’t fall asleep. He’d woken up long before the crack of freaking dawn to open gifts, and then, at a decent hour, we made our way over to Granny’s house, where the big Cromwell Christmas took place. Let’s just say presents were opened, cakes were licked, and a great time was had by everyone there—a great, great time. Let’s also say my face hurt from constantly smiling.
We moved into Toren’s sprawling house last month. It just made sense, given that the shop was getting so busy. Also, after putting some of my pieces in Leandra’s boutique as well as in Toren’s bookstores, I had to hire several staff members. Toren’s good at business, and he helped me put together an expansion plan. It meant buying a new, larger building right in the French Quarter and hiring someone to handle inquiries, manage the online sales, and operate the store. I also hired a few artisans to work on making pieces. I always thought if I did that, I’d be giving up control of my business, but it’s never felt like that to me. I’ve been excited about the changes, not scared.
I thought about selling my old building, but it’s special to me, and after talking with Toren, we both agreed renting it out would be best. Now I have a tenant living upstairs and a boutique selling handmade items downstairs. I shop there regularly since it’s an awesome place. After all, I like to support brand-new homegrown businesses.
“I have to say that I’m exhausted. Happy but exhausted.” Toren arrives in the bedroom, fresh out of the shower, wearing a faded t-shirt and boxers.
It’s all I can do not to pounce on him, but I have to agree with him. I have just enough energy left to give him the special gift I’ve been saving all day for the minute when I knew we’d be alone before bed.
I pat the covers beside me. “Sit down. I have something for you.”
His eyes light up. “Oh, that kind of something, is it? I’m intrigued.”
I snort-giggle. “We’ll see about that. I might have some extra energy left in the reserve stores somewhere.”
“I’m up for it if you are.”
“Hmm, maybe I could just crawl up onto your face and fall asleep there.”
Toren licks his lips in a way that tells me there would be sleeping and a second wind involved if I made good on that promise. My nipples and lady cave are in eager agreement as they’re both feeling extra second-y and windy at the moment.
I force myself to focus. I turn and slide open the top drawer of the nightstand, producing a little black box. Toren sits down so hard that the bed nearly rockets me off the other side. I snort-giggle again, which I guess is a product of being extra tired because I’m not usually so piggy when I’m giggly.