Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)(71)

I head into the kitchen and start to put away some of the dirty dishes. I look out the window at the ocean and smile. Arms come around my stomach, and I settle back against him. He holds me against his chest, and I rest my head on his shoulder.

“I just talked to Quinn,” Liam grumbles softly.

“I’m sorry,” I joke.

“He gave me the keys to the house in Corolla. I can call a priest and we can go next weekend. What do you say?”

I put the plate down and shut the water off. Liam moves back so I can turn and face him. Immediately his arms find their way around me again. I wrap mine around his neck and look into the eyes of the man I love. “This weekend?”

“I don’t need anything but you and Aarabelle. Quinn said he’d stand in for me and I’m sure Reanell will. Jackson and Catherine are here . . . it’s your call, sweetheart.”

If it were any other man, I don’t know that I could so soon. If it were any other SEAL, I wouldn’t be able to. But this is Liam. While we didn’t find each other in the most conventional way, we found each other when we needed to. He’s truly my other half.

“Looks like you’re about to get hitched, Dreamboat.”

“I’m going to make you the happiest woman in the world.”

My fingers glide across to the scruff that’s trimmed again. His strong jawline and dark brown hair scratch against my skin. “You made me fall in love with you and then you gave me a child. You loved me even when I was a mess. I think you’ve fulfilled that promise.”

Liam’s lifts me gently and lowers himself. Our lips meet and I sigh. His tongue enters my mouth and pushes against mine slowly. Each slide against each other makes my body warm. I feel his fingers glide down my back as he cups my ass. Using the counter behind me he raises me up so I’m sitting. My legs naturally wrap around his waist and he continues to plunge into my mouth.

My fingers grip his hair, holding him against me, but he’s just as urgent. Even though there’s a house full of people, I can’t push him away. I hold him close and I mold to him.

“Seriously, get a room,” Reanell enters the kitchen.

I wipe my mouth and the tingle and swelling of my lips is torture. I want more.

“So,” I say nonchalantly. “I’m getting married next weekend. Would you like to be my matron of honor?”

“Only if you don’t call it matron. Makes me feel old.”

“You are old.”

“Whatever. You’re pregnant.”

“You’re quick. So . . . will you?” I ask trying not to laugh.

Reanell rushes over and pushes Liam out of the way. She wraps her arms around me and rocks back and forth. “I would love to. You know I can’t say no to you.”

Mark walks in carrying a bunch of trash. “So the party is in here?”

Liam looks over with the biggest smile and I give him one right back. “Next weekend,” Liam says. “We’re getting married.”

“You can’t,” Mark says deadpan.

“Why the hell not?” I ask.

“Because you’re my wife and that’s my baby. This is some Jerry Springer shit up in here.”

Liam pushes his chest. “The wedding will be in Corolla, f*ckstick.” He laughs and walks out of the kitchen.

Mark heads over. “I’m happy for you, Lee. I don’t know if I’ll make it and I hope you understand. It’s not choosing . . . it’s just that if it were me . . .” he trails off and it clicks that he’s talking about Aaron. “I wouldn’t want to be alone.”

“I don’t want him to be either.”


I’ve made peace with Aaron. Healing came despite great despair. Life may have thrown me around, but it’s shown me that sometimes love can come in places we never thought to look.

“I’ll let you know, but even if I’m not there, I want you to know I’m happy. I think you and Aaron made the right choice.” Mark sits at the table and I join him.

“You know, all those years we were trying to make things work, there were times I wished he would leave. He was unhappy. I was unhappy, but I thought if we could just have a baby, it would make things okay. I really believed it would heal us.”

Mark grabs my hand. “I think the mission we lost Brian, Devon, and Fernando altered all of our lives. Jackson was never the same, and I think Aaron carried more shit than we knew. All of us lost our friends that day and we lived. There’s a level of guilt you carry through that. I dealt with mine and made peace with it. But I don’t know that those two did. Aaron had you to focus on, and when a man can’t do something he was made to do . . .” he trails off.

“Aaron didn’t fail me, Mark. He wasn’t the issue with getting pregnant, but he used that to be selfish. That’s why I couldn’t go backward.”

“Just know that you’re my friend too, and I’m not choosing sides. I didn’t want you to be upset.”

I stand and place my hand on Mark’s. “I understand. Thank you for being a good friend. Aarabelle is lucky to have you and Jackson too.”

“Well, I’m a fantastic godfather.”

“The best.”

We laugh and hug before he walks out. I stand here for a second and take in the fact that in a week, I’ll be Mrs. Dempsey.