Flint chuckled. “We better get a move on. How much longer will that dose last in Conroy’s system?”
Luke glanced at his watch. “Di gave him a half dose, so we can stay out in public till six tonight. After that, all bets are off as this little bugger may change into a wolf again.”
Pride filled Luke’s words. We all knew that he loved playing in the backyard with his son after they’d both transformed. Only thing, Conroy still didn’t understand transforming in public was a risk.
Anytime Luke or Jacinda took the twins out, Di or Father would administer a small dose of Emma’s daily drug to her brother so they didn’t have to worry about him transforming in public. Emma, on the other hand, still got her daily dose since she still couldn’t control her transformations.
However, on the few times they’d tried to wean Emma off the drug, she’d showed progress which meant she could probably come off the drug sometime in the next few years.
I shoved the ring box into my pocket and clapped Flint on the back. “Wish me luck, guys. I’ve gotta pick Grace and her mom up from the hospital. I promised to help them home after her mom’s scan.”
“Is she still cancer-free?” Jasper asked.
I shrugged. “We still don’t know. Since she tolerated the chemo and radiation, the doctors are hopeful, but this scan will show if she’s still cancer-free. If she is, then she won’t need her next checkup for another three months.”
“Glad to hear it.” Flint nudged me after my hand dropped from his shoulder. “And what’s the latest on Grace’s dad?”
I scowled, as I always did anytime I was reminded of her father. “He’s still alive, and he’s still in rehab, and it’s gonna be awhile until all of his skin graft surgeries are done, but so far, other than one nasty phone call to her mom, he hasn’t bothered them. It probably helps that he can’t walk or drive.”
“And he hasn’t mentioned anything to the police about the fire you started?” Luke asked.
I shook my head. “He doesn’t remember the accident. I’m not worried about that anymore. My only concern is if he tries to go after Grace and her mom again.”
Edgar frowned. “You just let me know if I need to step in. I can help sway him to leave them alone if needed.”
I smiled, not only because Edgar offered to help with no hesitation, but also because his voice stayed even, only the barest hint of his strange accent lilting his words. “Thanks, bro. We’ll let you know if your services are needed, but right now, I don’t think he’s going to be a problem.”
~ ~ ~
I waited on the curb outside of the hospital. Through the revolving door, I caught sight of a beautiful tall girl with long blond hair and eyes the color of the sea. Beside her walked Rosemary. Grace’s mother still wore a scarf over her head, but tufts of hair had begun growing back on her head.
I threw on my hazard lights and stepped out of my new car. I’d sold my Tesla after seeing Grace’s expression every time she saw the divot in the repaired back panel. The scar from the bullet hole was still apparent despite the bodywork, and the last thing I wanted to do was remind her of her father every time I pulled up to our house.
“Hi, babe,” I said when I reached her, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.
“Hey.” She tilted her head back, her lips soft.
I planted a kiss on her mouth, then turned to her mom before helping her through the door. “How did it go?”
Rosemary beamed and squeezed Grace’s hand. “Still cancer-free!”
Grace did a happy dance. “They said all of her scans are still clear.”
I grinned. “That’s great news. We should celebrate!”
Rosemary winked subtly in my direction. “I was thinking the same thing.” Grace helped her mom to the front seat, opening the door for her. “How about dinner out tonight?” her mom asked.
Grace shrugged. “Sure. Whatever you want, Mom. Do you want to pick the place?”
Rosemary shot me another covert look. “Not a problem. I’ll make reservations.”
The rest of the afternoon, the box pressed into the pocket in my pants. Several times, I took the ring out to look at it, wondering what Grace would think when she saw it. But it wasn’t until we went to the small Italian bistro that her mom made reservations at, and Grace saw the table full of my entire family, that I truly realized tonight would determine where the rest of my life went.
Grace had no idea what I intended to do, but everyone else did. And watching Grace, as she moved about the table, greeting all of my family like loved friends, while her mom beamed from her seat, I knew I’d found the perfect woman to mesh into the Fielding clan.
Grace fit with us.
She belonged.
Whether or not she knew it, she’d become a part of our family the day Lena revealed to her who we really were. It was only a matter of time before we made it official.
So when dessert rolled out, and I got down on one knee, everyone grew quiet. They knew it was coming, and my chest filled when tears rushed into Grace’s eyes.
I opened the box, the ring sparkling in the light. “I love you, Grace. I have from the moment we met, and that’s never going to stop. You’re the only woman I can imagine spending my life with, and I’d be honored if you married me.”
Tears streamed down Grace’s cheeks as her mother dabbed her eyes discreetly at my side, while my adopted father and family watched on.
A grin spread across Grace’s face. “Yes, Raven, I’ll marry you! A thousand times, yes!”
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading The Complete Lost Children Series! Krista hopes you love the Fielding family as much as she loved creating them.
If you enjoy Krista Street’s writing, make sure you visit her website. You can join her newsletter to hear about new releases and also learn about Krista’s other books and series. Links to her social media platforms are available on every page.
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♥
AWAKENED
Did you know there’s a prequel to The Complete Lost Children Series?
If you’re curious to know what Lena experienced before she met the other lost children, you can download Awakened, book 0, on Amazon.
Download Awakened
After waking in an alleyway with no memories, a strange tattoo, and a supernatural ability, Lena knows something extraordinary happened to her. When a deep guiding instinct hums to life inside her, she sets out into the unknown in hopes of unlocking secrets to her past.
Now, hitchhiking around the country with nothing but a personalized bracelet as proof of a life she once led, Lena must decide—seek answers to her past at any cost or accept that the truth to who she is may never be known.
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THE MAKANZA SERIES
Do you enjoy Krista Street’s Writing?
Make sure you check out The Makanza Series, a complete Dystopian Romance series.
Your next binge read awaits!
Download Compound 26
In a society ruled by sanctions and curfews, Dr. Meghan Forester emerges as the youngest and most promising scientist to join the fight against Makanza—the deadly virus that’s ravaged the world.
Inside Compound 26, a giant government-controlled research facility, Meghan’s new job involves studying the Kazzies, the rare survivors who carry the virus and now exhibit supernatural powers. But as her work enfolds, Meghan’s horrified at the brutal and unethical practices the Kazzies are subjected to.
And most surprisingly, she falls in love with one.
Faced with growing conflict over helping the Kazzies versus following t
he Compound’s strict policies, Meghan must choose: obey the government's unethical practices or risk everything to save the only man she’s ever loved.
Download Compound 26
The Complete Lost Children Series Page 108