Married by Midnight

n's casserole warming in the oven. Liam was nestled in Serena's lap, arms looped loos

ablet in his hand, but his gaze straye

ave a mom?" Liam asked sudd

imes stories are like that. Bu

alone," he

ed. She looked at Theo,

ple leave, buddy. But the ones who

, considering. "You

the top of his

m finally fell asleep in her arms, Serena ge

hallway when she retur

im," he said. "Bett

he admitted. "Children were

" he murmured. "But once he was he

arms crossed. "Do you want to

ident. Said she wasn't made for this kind of life. I d

nched. "You don't

you're here,"

y, heat crawli

stretche

d suddenly. "Chamomi

where he handed her a steaming mug.

is n

at the clinic," he said. "Back when

at cold, assessing way she'd seen before, but softer-li

said quietly. "What k

nagement for children." He paused. "

ispered. "Just... he

ong and slow. "Why do yo

y're true,"

ssed. The a

th

cut through

expression darkening. He read so

it?" Sere

the screen

d headli

ena Shaw Marries Wheelchair-B

them entering City Hall. Anoth

e comm

s breat

mly, taking the phone

ad already dra

hoked. "I didn't tell anyon

aid calmly. "Possibly from

ay. "This wasn't supposed to be p

he said. "These

was shak

I married you for m

alread

l, just factual. But t

appen," he continued.

t my family, not to

. "The moment you signed that pap

d. The mug cracked, the sound s

ed for this!

d quietly. "Bu

suddenly col

ng the edge of the sink

time. "This won't break you, S

't turn.

to her room, a folded piece o

Liam's

tall, one in a chair, o

, a shaky

in Liam's cr

Fam

lutched to her chest, and crie

from

f her had finally, irre