Heartprints in the Void
⊰ 2 ⊱ Family Ties

The sun's already begun to set by the time we pull into the secluded resort nestled in the heart of a small town. The three-hour drive had been filled with a mix of excited chatter, comfortable silences, and Naomi's occasional babbling from her car seat.

As Cade parks in front of the quaint wooden cabin, I can't help but marvel at the serenity surrounding us. Tall pine trees sway gently in the breeze, their scent mingling with the crisp mountain air. It's a world away from the bustling city we left behind, and the perfect place to start our new life together.

We unload the car, Cade insisting on carrying the majority of our bags while I focus on getting Naomi settled. Inside, the cabin is cozy, with a rustic charm that immediately settles my nerves.

After a quick exploration, I spread out a playmat for Naomi in the living room, pulling out her favorite building blocks. She squeals with a precious smile on her face, immediately setting to work on her architectural masterpiece.

As I sit criss-crossed beside her, guiding her chubby hands to stack the colorful blocks, I hear Cade step outside, his phone pressed to his ear. The muffled sound of his voice drifts through the slightly open door, but I can't make out his words. Naomi babbles happily, drawing my attention back to her. I smile, my heart swelling with love for this precious little girl. In such a short time, she's become such an integral part of my life, of *our* life together. *Our life together...*

The thought spreads a warmth across my chest. After everything we've been through, all the heartache and misunderstandings, we're finally here. On the cusp of forever.

But even as joy fills my heart, a niggling worry tugs at the edges of my mind.

*"You tell that bitch Irene that if she wants something from me, she can come to me herself."*

David's words have been playing over and over in my mind, his mention of my aunt Irene leaving this unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.

*What connection could she have to all of this?*

I haven't spoken to her since last Christmas, our obligatory once-a-year phone call filled with stilted pleasantries and awkward silences. Our relationship has always been strained, a result of too many years of resentment. But still, the thought of her being involved, of David using her in some way... it makes my stomach churn.

The sound of the door opening pulls me from my thoughts. Cade steps inside, pocketing his phone as he makes his way over to us.

"That was work," he says, lowering himself to sit beside me on the floor. "I took PTO for the rest of the week. We'll go apply for our marriage certificate first thing in the morning."

I nod, a flutter of nerves and anticipation in my chest. "And then what?"

"There's a 48-hour waiting period before we can officiate it. But after that..." He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "After that, you'll be my wife." *Wife.*

The word feels foreign on my tongue, but oh so right in my heart.

I look up at him, searching his face. "You really want to do this?"

The look on his face hardens, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. "I should've done this the first time I asked you to marry me."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. I lean into his touch, savoring the warmth of his palm against my cheek.

Cade shifts, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the familiar suede box. My breath catches in my throat as he flips it open, revealing the delicate ring nestled inside.

*His mother's ring. The one he'd proposed with all those years ago.*

Gently, he takes my hand, slipping the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly, like it was always meant to be there.

"We'll go get wedding bands tomorrow," he murmurs, his thumb brushing over the sparkling diamond.

I can only nod, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak. Leaning in, I capture his lips in a soft, tender kiss.

His mouth moves against mine, and what starts as a gentle caress quickly turns into something passionate. Cade's hand tangles in my hair, his fingers curling against my scalp as he angles my head, deepening the kiss. I melt into him, parting my lips in silent invitation.

His tongue sweeps into my mouth, tangling with my own. I can taste the faint hint of mint in his breath, mixed with the unique essence that is purely Cade.

A soft moan escapes my lips as his other hand skims down my side, his touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake. He grips my hip, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as he pulls me closer, until I'm practically in his lap.

I can feel the hard plane of his chest against my own, the rapid beat of his heart echoing the pounding rhythm of mine. Heat pools low in my belly, desire coursing through my veins.

Down the side of my mouth, his lips trail kisses along my jaw, down the column of my throat. I tilt my head back, giving him better access as I thread my fingers through his hair, holding him to me. "Ely," he breathes against my skin, his voice rough with want. "God, I love you."

"I love you," I echo, the words a fervent promise. "Always."

His hand slips beneath the hem of my shirt, his calloused fingers splaying across the small of my back. I arch into his touch, craving more, needing to feel his skin against mine.

But just as I'm about to suggest we move this to the bedroom, the sudden clatter of blocks toppling over pulls us out of the haze, Naomi's gleeful "Uh-oh!" reminding us of her presence. *Too much. Too much.*

My breathing is uneven and I pull back with a breathless laugh, my chest heaving as I try to calm my racing heart. Cade rests his forehead against mine, his own breathing ragged.

"To be continued," he murmurs, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of my nose.

I grin, stealing one last peck before turning to Naomi. "Uh-oh is right, sweet girl," I coo, helping her gather the scattered blocks. "Looks like we made a mess, huh?"

As we work together to rebuild her towering creation, I can still feel the ghost of Cade's touch on my skin, the taste of him lingering on my lips. A promise of what I get to have for the rest of my life.

With the last of the blocks laying nearby, I broach the subject that's been weighing heavy on my mind.

"Cade, there's something I should probably tell you," I begin, glancing at him over my shoulder. "When I spoke with your father, he mentioned my aunt Irene. He thinks she was... I don't know, after him somehow? I was wondering if you had any idea what he was talking about."

Cade's brow furrows, confusion etched across his handsome features. "Irene? I don't... I'm not sure. But I can look into it, see what I can find out."

I shake my head, reaching out to lay a hand on his. "No, I... I think I should talk to her first. Our relationship may not be the best, but if your father is planning something, I don't want to tip him off by having you investigate. I don't want to put her at risk."

Cade looks like he wants to argue, to insist on handling it himself. But after a moment, he nods, respecting my wishes.

"Okay. Just... be careful, Ely. And let me know what you find out."

His easy acceptance, his trust in my judgment, means more to me than I can express. In the past, Cade would've dismissed my concerns, insisting on taking control. But now... Now, we're a team. Partners in every sense of the word.

I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder as we watch Naomi play.