The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the honeymoon suite. The sheets were a tangled mess, the air still thick with the remnants of last night- passion, whispered promises, and the feeling of something new beginning.
I stirred slightly, feeling warmth pressed against my back. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.
Brandon.
I smiled to myself.
For the first time in forever, I felt… complete.
Safe.
Loved.
‘You’re awake,” Brandon murmured, his lips brushing against my bare shoulder.
I hummed, leaning into his touch. “Mmm.”
He chuckled, his breath warm against my skin. “You wore me out last night.”
I turned in his arms, raising an eyebrow. “I wore you out?”
Brandon smirked. “Definitely.”
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed at the memory.
Last night had been everything.
For years, I had thought I’d never feel this way again–never trust, never let myself belong to someone. But with Brandon, it wasn’t about possession. It wasn’t about control.
It was us.
Mutual. Equal.
Something I never had with Elias.
Brandon tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You okay?”
I smiled. “More than okay.”
His smirk softened. “Good.”
let my fingers trace the outline of his jaw. “So… what’s next, Mr. Morrison?”
Brandon pretended to think. “Well, Mrs. Morrison, I was thinking we spend the entire day in be
“Brandon!”
He laughed, flipping us over so he hovered above me, his weight warm and familiar.
“But,” he continued, voice teasing, “I suppose we have other things to do.”
I exhaled. “Like finding our child.”
Brandon stilled.
Then-
He smiled.
The kind of smile that made my heart ache in the best way possible.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “Let’s go find our kid.”
We spent the next few weeks looking-
Through agencies, orphanages, adoption centers.
We met so many children.
Some were shy. Some were playful. Some had been through unimaginable pain, their eyes guarded, hesitant to trust.
It broke my heart.
I knew what it felt like–to feel unwanted. To feel like you had no place.
And I refused to let any child feel that way ever again.
Brandon squeezed my hand as we left another agency one afternoon. “We’ll find them,” he said gently.
nodded, but doubt still lingered.
What if we didn’t?
What if we never found the right child?
Or worse-
What if I wasn’t enough?
3randon must have sensed my thoughts because he pulled me into his arms.
‘You’re going to be an amazing mother,” he whispered against my hair.
swallowed, closing my eyes.
‘I hope so,” I murmured.
He pulled back, tilting my chin up. “I know so.”
And somehow, that was enough to keep me going.
t was a rainy afternoon when we met her.
We had visited so many centers by that point, but something told me–this was it.
The woman at the agency smiled as she led us down a quiet hallway. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Brandon and I exchanged a glance before following her into a small playroom.
And there she was.
A little girl.
No more than four years old.
Sitting alone, clutching a stuffed rabbit to her chest, her dark eyes peeking up at us with curiosity–but also hesitation.
She was tiny. Frail. With short brown curls and the biggest eyes I had ever seen.
Her name was Lena.
And the second I saw her-
2/4
97.4%
I knew.
Brandon inhaled sharply beside me, like he felt it too.
The woman knelt beside Lena, speaking softly. “Sweetheart, these are the people I was telling you about.”
Lena clutched her rabbit tighter.
I lowered myself to her level, offering a gentle smile. “Hi, Lena.”
She blinked at me, silent.
Brandon knelt beside me. “That’s a cute bunny, you’ve got there.”
Lena hesitated. Then, so carefully, she lifted the stuffed rabbit toward him.
Brandon smiled, taking it gently. “What’s its name?”
A pause.
Then-
“Charlie,” she whispered.
I melted.
Brandon nodded seriously. “Charlie, huh? That’s a strong name.”
Lena studied him, her tiny brows furrowed. “He’s brave.”
Brandon grinned. “Just like you.”
Lena blinked.
Then-
For the first time-
She smiled.
And in that moment, I knew-
She was ours.
The process took time.
But the moment we got the official approval-
I cried.
Brandon held me, his own voice thick with emotion. “She’s ours, Veronica.”
And when we brought Lena home-
I couldn’t stop staring.
way her
At the way she clung to her bunny, at the way she cautiously explored the house, at the eyes lit up when she saw her new room. Brandon picked her up effortlessly, tossing her into the air before catching her again.
Lena giggled.
And my heart ached in the best way possible.
She was home.
We all were.
3/4 98.7%
After putting Lena to Deu, i
I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind. “You okay?”
He exhaled. “I keep thinking about something.”
I rested my chin against his shoulder. “What’s that?”
Brandon turned, cupping my face.
His voice softened. “I never thought I’d get this.”
I swallowed. “Me neither.”
He brushed a thumb over my cheek. “But here we are.”
I smiled. “Here we are.”
He leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine. “I love you.”
My breath hitched.
He had said it before.
But tonight, after everything, it felt… different.
Permanent.
Real.
closed my eyes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I love you too.” Brandon’s arms tightened around me, lifting me effortlessly.
gasped, laughing. “Brandon!”
He grinned, carrying me inside. “Come on, Mrs. Morrison. Time for round two.”
rolled my eyes, but my pulse raced as he laid me on the bed.
And as his lips trailed down my neck, as his hands mapped every inch of me-
realized something.
For the first time in my life-
wasn’t just surviving.
was living.
