Chapter 26 Alex
ALEX
Three Months Later
"Okay, that's the last box," I grunt, dropping the final carton onto the living room floor with a heavy thud. "Officially moved in. No take-backs now, Reynolds."
Paige grins at me from her perch on the couch, a purring Byte curled up in her lap. "Wouldn't dream of it, Spencer. You're stuck with me now."
I flop down next to her, draping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. "There are worse fates, I suppose. Like being stuck with Sam's singing in the shower every morning."
She laughs, snuggling into my side. "Poor Sam. It's not his fault he was born tone-deaf."
I snort, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Tell that to my bleeding eardrums. I swear, it's like living with a dying cat."
"I heard that, dickwad!" Sam's voice echoes from down the hall, followed by a yelp and a crash.
Paige and I exchange a look, eyebrows raised. "Uh, Sam? You okay in there?" I call out, trying to bite back a grin.
There's a long pause, followed by a shuffling sound and a muffled curse. Then Sam appears in the living room doorway, his hair mussed and his shirt on inside out.
And trailing sheepishly behind him, looking equally disheveled...is Jamie.
"Oh. My. God," Paige breathes, her eyes wide as saucers. "Were you two just...?"
"No!" they blurt out in unison, their faces flushing bright red.
I can't help it. I burst out laughing, nearly dislodging Byte from Paige's lap. "Holy shit, I knew it! I knew there was something going on between you two!"
Sam glares at me, crossing his arms over his chest. "Shut up, Alex. It's not...we weren't..."
"Making out like horny teenagers in my guest room?" I supply helpfully, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Because that's sure what it looks like from here."
Jamie huffs, blowing a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Okay, fine. Yes, we were kissing. But it's not a big deal, okay? It just sort of...happened."
Paige snorts, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "Right. Just like Alex and I 'just sort of happened' to fall into bed together. Multiple times."
I waggle my eyebrows at her, leering. "Best accidents of my life, babe."
She rolls her eyes, swatting at my chest. "Down, boy. We have company."
"Company that was just swapping spit in our guest room," I remind her, turning back to Sam and Jamie with a wicked grin. "So, how long has this been going on? And more importantly, why didn't you tell us?"
Sam shuffles his feet, looking uncomfortable. "It's new, okay? We didn't want to make a big deal out of it until we figured out what it was."
Jamie nods, biting her lip. "Yeah, and we didn't want to steal your thunder, you know? With the move and everything..."
Paige softens, her eyes going warm and understanding. "Guys, come on. You know we'd be happy for you, no matter what. You're our best friends."
I nod, my teasing grin fading into a sincere smile. "Seriously, we're just glad you found each other. God knows you both deserve to be happy."
Sam and Jamie exchange a look, something soft and sweet passing between them. "Thanks, guys," Sam says, reaching out to take Jamie's hand. "That means a lot."
"Totally," Jamie agrees, lacing her fingers with his. "And for the record...we are happy. Really happy."
I feel a lump form in my throat, my heart swelling with affection for these people, this cobbled-together family of choice. "Well, good. That's all that matters."
Paige leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. "Looks like CupidCode struck again, huh? First us, now them..."
I chuckle, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Guess we're just too good at our jobs, babe. Spreading love wherever we go."
Sam groans, covering his eyes. "Okay, that's our cue to leave. I can only handle so much sappiness in one day."
Jamie giggles, tugging on his hand. "Come on, loverboy. Let's leave these two to christen their new place in peace."
I waggle my eyebrows at Paige as they head for the door. "Ooh, christening. I like the sound of that."
She laughs, shoving at my chest. "Down, tiger. At least let them get out the door first."
Sam pauses in the doorway, turning back to look at us. His expression is soft, almost wistful. "Hey, Alex...I know I don't say it enough, but...I'm really glad you're my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without you, man."
I swallow hard, my chest tight with emotion. "Right back at you, Sammy. I love you, brother."
He grins, blinking suspiciously shiny eyes. "Love you too, Al. Even if you are a giant pain in my ass."
And then they're gone, the door clicking shut softly behind them. Paige turns to me, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
"They're going to be okay, aren't they? Sam and Jamie?"
I smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, babe. I think they're going to be just fine. Better than fine."
She nods, leaning into my touch. "Good. That's...that's good."
We sit in silence for a moment, just holding each other and listening to the soft, steady purr of Byte's breathing. I feel a pang in my chest, a familiar ache that's become a part of me these last few months.
"I wish she was here to see this," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion. "My mom. I wish she could see how happy we are, how far we've come."
Paige takes my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine. "She does see it, Alex. She's here, in everything we do. In every laugh, every kiss, every moment of joy."
I close my eyes, leaning my forehead against hers. "I miss her so much, Paige. It's like...it's like there's this hole in my heart, and no matter what I do, it never quite goes away."
"I know, baby," she whispers, her thumbs stroking over my cheekbones. "And it might not ever go away, not completely. But that's okay. It means she mattered, that she left her mark on you. On all of us."
I nod, swallowing around the lump in my throat. "She did. God, she really did."
Paige presses a soft kiss to my lips, her touch gentle and reassuring. "And we'll keep her memory alive, Alex. In the stories we tell, the traditions we keep. In the love we share, every single day."
I open my eyes, staring into the green depths of hers. "I love you, Paige Reynolds. More than I ever thought possible."
She smiles, her eyes shining with tears and tenderness. "I love you too, Alex Spencer. Forever and always."
I lean in to kiss her again, deeper this time. She opens for me with a sigh, her arms winding around my neck as Byte leaps off her lap with an indignant meow.
I lay her back on the couch, settling my weight between her thighs. She wraps her legs around my waist, arching up to press her body flush against mine.
"Alex," she breathes, her nails scoring down my back. "Please..."
I groan, rocking my hips against hers. "Please what, baby? Tell me what you need."
"You," she gasps, her head falling back as I trail my lips down her throat. "I need you, Alex. Always."
I pull back to look at her, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. "You have me, Paige. Forever and always. No matter what."
She smiles up at me, radiant and beautiful and everything I've ever wanted. "Forever and always," she echoes, pulling me back down into a searing kiss.
We make love right there on the couch, slow and sweet and so full of emotion it brings tears to my eyes. She cradles me between her thighs, urging me deeper, closer, until I can't tell where I end and she begins.
It's perfect. It's everything. It's the start of the rest of our lives, together.
Afterwards, we lay tangled up in each other, naked and sated and utterly content. Byte jumps up to join us, curling up on my chest with a rumbling purr.
"Hey buddy," I murmur, scratching him behind the ears. "Looks like it's official. You're stuck with me now."
Paige giggles, nuzzling into my neck. "Poor Byte. How will he ever survive such a horrible fate?"
I grin, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Oh, I think he'll manage. After all, he puts up with you on a daily basis. Compared to that, I'm a walk in the park."
She mock-gasps, poking me in the ribs. "Rude! See if I let you move in with me again, mister."
I laugh, catching her hand and bringing it to my lips. "Too late, Reynolds. You're officially stuck with me. No take-backs, remember?"
She smiles, her eyes soft and warm as she gazes up at me. "I remember. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
I feel a surge of emotion well up in my throat, so strong it nearly chokes me. This woman, this incredible, infuriating, utterly perfect woman...
She's mine. And I'm hers. Forever and always, just like we promised.
"Move in with me again tomorrow?" I ask, only half-joking.
She grins, leaning up to brush her lips over mine. "I'd move in with you every day for the rest of our lives, Alex Spencer."
I smile against her mouth, my heart so full it feels like it might take flight. "I'm going to hold you to that, Paige Reynolds."
She laughs, bright and joyful, and kisses me again. And as we lose ourselves in each other once more, Byte purring contentedly between us, I can't help but think...
It doesn't get any better than this.
And the best part? This is just the beginning.