CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The sound of Marcie and Tara bickering nearly makes me laugh out loud.

Wyn convinced me to hire her ex in an effort to keep Jake's new favorite aunt close.

So far, it's been working out, but my receptionist might strangle her yet.

"Morning, Bash!" Tara greets as she plops down in the empty chair in front of my desk.

"Morning. How's it going?"

"Going well—really well. You?"

She stirs her coffee, and I fight not to make a face at the sickly sweet smell.

"Can't complain. You still coming over this Saturday?"

"Yes, of course. I got Jake the best gift that not only trumps all of yours but will drive Wyn crazy."

"You're evil. I love it."

Tara beams. "So, any plans for tonight?"

Yes.

"Maybe."

She smirks but leaves me to my thoughts. The secret I have planned for Wyn burns in the back of my mind.

When the scent of Wyn's perfume tickles my nostrils, I push back my nervousness.

I saunter over to her office, where she's at her desk, already working.

Leaning against the door frame, I watch her, drinking in her absolute beauty.

Wyn's focused on her computer, her brow furrowed as if she's trying to solve a problem.

"Good morning, deoring."

She looks up and smirks.

"Hello, Mr. Ettin. Spying on me?"

"Observing," I correct.

"Mhm, see anything you like?"

"Nope. Just something I love."

My sawolkeh grins.

"Smooth. Any plans for tonight?"

You have no idea.

"Eh, just dinner with my favorite people."

"Well, I've got that project you wanted me to start, so it might keep me a bit late tonight. Can you get Jake?"

"Sure, but do you need any help?"

She can't work past seven, or it'll mess up my plans for her this evening.

"No, I'm good, thanks."

"Ok, but don't work too late. Jake wanted to do something together as a family, remember?"

Wyn's face scrunches up. "Erm, no. I must've forgotten. Don't tell him, and I promise to not be late."

But as it nears five o'clock, Wyn is still buried under a mountain of work.

Almost all the other employees are gone for the weekend, including Tara, leaving just Wyn and me.

With a water bottle in my hand, I tap on her door.

"I'm off to pick up Jake. We're going to Coney Island for hot dogs and cotton candy. Meet us there?"

"Oh, uh, sure. That sounds amazing. Jake loves playing all the fair games."

Breezing into her office, I kiss her forehead and give her the bottle of water because I know she probably hasn't gotten up from her desk in over an hour.

"Drink up, deoring—I plan on dehydrating you later."

Wyn blushes at the insinuation but grabs me for a quick kiss on the lips before shooing me away.

Traffic creeps, but it's Friday. Finally, I get to Jake's school where he's waiting for me in the aftercare program.

My little man sits next to a friend, off in his own little world while they chat.

"Jake!" I call, waving.

"Dad!" he chirps, scrambling up to run into my arms.

"You ready for tonight?"

His grin is wide enough to split his face.

"Ready! I can't wait. Will Tara and Grandpa be there too?"

"Not tonight. I want this to just be the three of us—you, your mom, and me."

"Alright, but is Aunt Tara still coming this weekend?"

"Yep."

"And we're still visiting Grandpa next month?"

"Double yep."

Jake whoops, and I sweep him onto my shoulders and leave.

"Watch out for the tree branches!" Jake giggles.

I duck low, swinging Jake around until he laughs uncontrollably.

We hit the road, the city slipping past in a blur of steel and glass, until the ocean's brine scents the air.

The gaudy lights of Coney Island wink in the distance, beckoning us closer.

"Wow, this place is like magic—but not as cool as your Boggart magic."

"Nothing's as cool as Boggart magic," I confirm.

I park, and then the two of us make our way to the boardwalk.

The planks creak under our feet as we stroll from stall to stall.

"Alright, buddy, which game do you think your mom would like best for our little surprise?"

"Um, the ring toss!"

We approach the booth manned by an elderly gentleman with a silver goatee.

I lean in to whisper in his ear while passing him a couple one hundred dollar bills.

"Sir, do you mind rigging the game?"

He looks at the money and then back at me.

"I would've done it for free—anything for the kids."

"You misunderstand. I've got something I want you to use as the prize."

Pulling out the box, I pass it over. The man peeks inside and whistles.

"Wow, now that's a—"

Just then my phone rings, and I hold up my hand to quiet the man.

"Hey, deoring, you here?"

"I'm parking now. Where are you guys at?"

"The ring toss, come meet us."

She hangs up, and after a bit, I see her walking toward us.

The dusk paints the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, haloing Wyn in soft light.

Jake runs into her arms, chatting a mile a minute.

When they get closer, she sets him down, and he scampers back to my side.

"Want to play, Mom?"

"Oh, sure."

The attendant hands her three rings, all of which bounce off the glass surface of the bottles.

"Ah, man. You missed!"

"You try, ?hi?k?í."

He gives it his best shot but doesn't land any, either.

"Bash, you do it! We need to win a prize for Mom!"

I wink, and he giggles while Wyn narrows her eyes.

"Watch this," I say as innocently as possible.

Being a Boggart has its advantages, and I land all three rings around the same bottle.

Even the attendant looks impressed.

"Nice shots! Pick your prize!"

"Hmm, how about the mystery box?"

The man tosses it to me, and I pass it to Wyn. The cardboard is nothing special, but I encourage her to open it.

Jake and I step behind her back, and I get down on one knee while my son puts his tiny hand on my shoulder for support.

When my mate finally gets the box open, she gasps and whirls around.

"Will you marry me, Wyn?"

"YES!" she screams louder than the rollercoaster rails clacking in their endless loop nearby.

Wyn launches herself at me, nearly toppling us both over.

I catch her up before tugging Jake into our embrace.

My mate grabs my face, kissing me until Jake squirms away.

She's crying, the salt of her tears slipping into my mouth as she peppers more kisses on my face.

Her smile when Wyn pulls away is pure radiance.

Around us, strangers clap and coo at our declaration of love.

As the crowd's applause fades to a hum, I tug Wyn back in for another hug.

"I love you, sawolkeh."

"You never did tell me what that means."

"Are you sure? I swore I did. It's Bugge for ‘soul shadow'—what Boggarts call their mates."

For this, I'm rewarded with the most dazzling smile I've ever seen on Wyn's face, and I'm undone at the sight.

From the very beginning, it's all I've ever wanted.

To make my girl smile.

Now, every morning for the rest of our lives, I get to wake up to it.

Wyn shimmies out of my grasp and turns to Jake.

"Did you help Bash plan this?"

He puffs up with pride.

"Yep! I even helped pick out the ring!"

My mate's face softens.

"You sure you don't have kids hiding somewhere—you're a natural at parenting."

"Nah…I just do the complete opposite of what my parents did."

Some of the glow melts off Wyn's face, and I chuck my fingers under her chin.

"No sadness. I've searched my whole life to find my family—a place where I fit in and am accepted unconditionally. You and Jake do this with your love. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

"Do you know what would make this night even better?" Jake demands.

"If we all moved into a house together?"

My son's draw drops.

"Really? A new house?"

"Anywhere in the city you want—maybe a place overlooking Central Park?"

"That would be perfect!"

Wyn laughs.

"Why would it be so perfect?"

"So I have a place to walk my new puppy!"

"Whoa, whoa, who said anything about getting a dog?!"

"But I've always wanted one."

Suddenly, I recall him telling Tara this, and the evil smirk she wore just this morning talking about Jake's new gift.

"Don't worry—I think your wish is about to come true."

"Bash!" Wyn hisses. "A dog is a big responsibility! You can't just buy him whatever he wants!"

"I can't—but his best auntie can."

Wyn groans, and I throw my arm around her shoulder, chuckling as we follow Jake to get some food.

As darkness descends over the boardwalk, the three of us walk down the beach.

Overhead, the stars twinkle like the lights strung up during the holidays.

"Look, Mom and Dad—a shooting star!"

"Quick, make a wish," Wyn instructs.

"You, too," I whisper in her ear.

She stares up at me, and my heart squeezes at the love in her gaze.

"Don't need to—mine already came true."

Mine, too.

THE END