Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
She stands, crossing the room to join me. With the baby nestled against her chest and Blaze playing at her feet, she looks like the queen of her own galaxy. My galaxy.
“I’m glad you didn’t kick me off this mountain,” she says, her tone teasing but her eyes serious.
“I tried,” I remind her with a grin. “You’re just too damn stubborn.”
“Takes one to know one.” She leans into me, her free hand resting against my chest. “Admit it. You knew from the start we were meant to be.”
I tilt my head, pretending to think. “Hmm. Maybe after that avalanche. Or was it when you smoked me on the slopes?”
Her laugh is light, but her gaze darkens with something deeper. “No, it was before that. When you opened the door and saw me standing there.”
“Quinn...” My voice drops, and the teasing disappears, replaced by something rawer. “You changed everything.”
She reaches up, brushing her fingers against my jaw. “And you gave me everything.”
The space between us vanishes as I pull her closer, careful not to disturb the baby. Her lips meet mine, soft and warm, and for a moment, it’s just us—two people who found love where they least expected it.
Blaze’s delighted squeal breaks the spell, and we both laugh, pulling apart. He’s holding two planets in his hands, waving them around like they’re his new favorite toys.
“Looks like someone’s got big plans for the universe,” Quinn says, her voice full of affection.
“Just like his mom,” I reply, brushing a kiss against her forehead. “Always reaching for the stars.”
Later that night, with the kids finally asleep and the observatory quiet, Quinn and I sit side by side, the telescope aimed at the constellation we named together. Her head rests on my shoulder, her hand laced with mine.
“You know,” she murmurs, her voice soft in the stillness, “we should map this one for Blaze. Make it his first star chart.”
“Good idea,” I say, turning to press a kiss to her hair. “And one for little Jack, too.”
She smiles, her eyes shining with emotion. “Jack Steven Warner. They’ll both have their own constellations.”
I tighten my grip on her hand. “Our kids are going to grow up knowing the sky belongs to them.”
“And to us,” she adds, her gaze lifting to the stars. “Because no matter what happens, we’ll always have this.”
I follow her gaze, the endless expanse of stars stretching out above us. It feels like a promise, a reminder of everything we’ve built and everything still waiting for us.
“Quinn,” I say, my voice low but steady. “Thank you for answering that ad.”
Her laughter is soft, her smile teasing. “Thank Zane. He’s the one who started it all.”
“Still,” I say, pulling her closer. “You could’ve walked away. But you didn’t.”
“Neither did you,” she counters, her eyes locking onto mine. “And look where it got us.”
I can’t argue with that. So instead, I kiss her, pouring every ounce of gratitude and love I have into the moment. She’s right—this was written in the stars long before we knew it.
And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.
THE END