Chapter 35
Blair
The sound of the delivery truck idling out front made my heart thud against my ribs. I threw open the front door of Greyson’s house, no, our house now, and there it was. A dozen stacked boxes, each one filled with copies of my book. My name is on the cover, my words on the pages.
My knees nearly buckled.
“Bee!” Greyson called from the kitchen. “Is that them?”
I nodded, tears already blurring my vision. “They’re here.”
He strode toward me, barefoot and shirtless, his hair still damp from his morning shower. He looked like a scene from a dream, but he was real, solid, and smiling as he pulled me into his arms.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered, kissing my temple. “My honey bee did it.”
I clung to him, burying my face in his chest. “I can’t believe it’s real.”
“It’s real,” he murmured. “And it’s just the beginning.”
We spent the next hour unpacking the boxes and lining them up along the bookshelf he’d built for me in the living room. The cover shimmered under the soft light, deep violet with gold lettering, like something sacred.
Later that afternoon, Madison stopped by with Olive, her wild curls bouncing as she giggled in the sling, beaming at me. Madison was holding a bottle of wine and wearing her usual crooked grin.
“Got something for you,” I said, retrieving one of the fresh copies from the shelf. I had signed it with shaking hands that morning. Madison’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Are you giving me homework?”
“Open it.”
She flipped the cover open and saw the dedication. Her mouth parted as she read:
For Madison.
For being my anchor when I had nothing to hold onto.
For showing me that family can be chosen, and love can be loud.
“Blair…” Her voice broke. “You didn’t have to. ”
“I did,” I said softly. “You saved me, Mads. I wouldn’t be here without you.”
We hugged, both of us sniffling into each other’s shoulders as Olive looked up at us and smiled.
After Madison left, Greyson and I stood in the quiet of our house. I looked around at the walls now filled with memories. Our life is not perfect, but ours.
“I’m scared,” I admitted.
“Of what?”
“Of it all going away.”
He cupped my face in his hands. “Nothing’s going to take this from us. You’re home now, Blair. With me. And I’m not letting go.”
I smiled through my tears. “I love you, Greyson.”
He grinned. “I know. I’m very lovable.”
I laughed, smacking his chest, but he caught my hand and pulled me closer. “I love you, too, my honey bee. I am so proud of you.”