Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 35

Thirty-Five

Talia

T he door bursts open and there she is. Solana, pink dress dirty and torn, wrapped in Dare's arms. When Dare puts her down, I drop to my knees and pull her into a fierce embrace, sobs wracking my body.

"Oh, honey. You're home, you're safe." I run my hands over her hair, her arms, needing to feel the solidness of her. The bone-deep terror and grief of the last twenty-four hours melts away and I'm left trembling with relief.

Solana clings to me, face buried in my neck. I feel her small body shaking as she starts to cry, too.

"I thought... I thought I'd never see you again," she admits between hiccuping sobs.

"No, honey. Dare and I will always find you. No matter where you go, you’ll always end up back in our arms." I kiss her damp cheeks, wipe away her tears.

Over her head, my eyes meet Dare's. His jaw is tight, eyes shadowed. I know getting her back wasn't easy. But he did it. For me. For us.

I cup Solana's face in my hands and make her meet my eyes. "You are part of this family now. No one will ever take you from us again. I promise you that."

Fresh tears spill down her cheeks but she's smiling now. "You mean it? I can stay with you?"

"Forever, honey." I kiss her forehead and draw her close once more.

Dare's presence is a looming force behind me, his body radiating tension. His hand tightens almost painfully on my shoulder as his gaze sweeps the lobby, alert for any threats. Solana is safe in my arms, but he won't relax until we're behind closed doors.

I know he hates feeling this edgy, this out of control. Hates that his uncle almost succeeded in stealing Solana away. But Dare got her back. Checkmated Felix in their twisted game of power and manipulation.

Now Dare and I just need to make it official. Give Solana the home and family she deserves. The words spill out before I can stop them.

My face still pressed against Solana's head when I whisper, "I want to adopt her. Make her legally ours."

Dare goes utterly still. I hold my breath, waiting. This goes against every rule of our arrangement with Hope House. But after almost losing her, I don't care about rules anymore.

Finally Dare nods, his eyes finding mine. "It's about time," he says simply. "I know it's against the Hope House rules, but I don't feel bad about it for an instant."

Relief and joy crash over me. I turn back to Solana, take her small hands in mine.

"How would you like that, little girl? To be part of our family forever?"

Her eyes go wide, still swimming with tears. She looks between me and Dare like she can't quite believe this is real. Then her face crumples and she starts sobbing again, even as she nods her head frantically.

"Yes, yes please! I want to stay with you always!" she manages to get out between heaving breaths.

I sweep Solana into my arms, holding her tightly as she cries into my shoulder. Dare moves closer, wrapping us both in his strong embrace. I meet his eyes over Solana's head and see my own elation mirrored there.

The door bursts open, making us all jump. Aunt Minnie comes bustling in, trailed by a stern-looking doctor clutching a large black bag.

"Let me see the child, let me see!" Aunt Minnie cries, her voice thick with emotion.

She has clearly been crying, her eyes red-rimmed behind her glasses.

With gentle hands, I detach Solana from my neck and pass her over to Aunt Minnie's waiting arms. The doctor steps in, opening his bag on the nearby table.

"I must examine her thoroughly, just to make sure she's in good shape," he declares officiously.

Solana shrinks back against Aunt Minnie's bosom but allows the doctor to take her wrist, checking her pulse and peering into her eyes.

Dare hovers close, tension radiating from him. I know he won't relax until we have confirmation of Solana's health. I slip my hand into his, anchoring him as the doctor continues his methodical inspection.

After what seems an eternity, the doctor steps back. "She is in perfect health," he pronounces.“We will want to keep an eye on her burns, of course. But I think Solana will be just fine.”

Dare's shoulders slump in relief. Aunt Minnie makes the sign of the cross, praising God as she rocks a now sleepy-eyed Solana. The ordeal has exhausted the poor child.

I nod to Aunt Minnie, who understands my silent request and carries Solana off to bed. The child is barely awake, her little hand curled against Aunt Minnie's collar.

As their footsteps fade down the hall, Dare pulls me into his arms. For a long moment we simply hold each other, processing the tumultuous events of the past few hours. So much has changed, so quickly.

"I can't believe you managed to trick Felix," I finally say, pulling back to search Dare's face. "Handing over your inheritance, your place as CEO..."

Dare's mouth twists wryly. "A small price to pay for Solana's freedom. The company is in good hands with Burn now."

He pauses, his gaze growing distant. "You know, it was always supposed to be like this. Me running things behind the scenes, guiding Burn as he took the reins publicly. But over the years, I let ambition cloud my judgment."

His eyes meet mine again, soft with wonder. "You helped me find clarity. You reminded me what really matters."

My throat tightens with emotion. I press my palm to his cheek. "I'm just glad we got her back safely. Our family...it feels complete now."

Dare covers my hand with his own. "It does," he agrees solemnly. "Our family."

We stand there a moment more, hearts full. Then Dare tilts my chin up, lowering his head to capture my lips in a searing kiss.

Our kiss deepens, a reaffirmation of our bond after the day's trials. Dare's arms wrap around me, warm and solid, as my hands slide up his chest to twine behind his neck. For long moments we are lost in each other, our bodies pressed close.

Finally we break apart, breathless. Dare rests his forehead against mine.

"I know there's more we need to discuss," he murmurs. "About my company, about Solana..." His thumb strokes my cheek. "But right now, I just want to be with my wife."

I smile softly, trailing my fingers down his jaw. "I want that, too."

Taking his hand, I lead him towards our bedroom. The stresses of the day slip away as the door closes behind us with a quiet click. We have weathered the storm and found safe harbor in each other's arms.

Dare's hands slide down to my hips as he pulls me close again, his mouth finding the sensitive spot below my ear. I gasp, tangling my fingers in his hair.

"I need you, Talia," he growls against my skin.

My pulse quickens at his raw desire. "Then have me," I whisper.

With a low groan, Dare sweeps me up and carries me to the bed. He lays me down gently amid the pillows before stretching out above me. We undress each other slowly, fingers trailing over newly bared skin.

When at last we are naked, Dare pauses to look at me, his gaze scorching. "You are so beautiful," he says reverently.

I flush under his admiration. "So are you," I breathe, taking in his muscular frame.

He gives a wolfish grin before lowering his head to kiss a blazing path down my body. I arch into his touch, dizzy with need.

I don’t want any penetration, but Dare doesn't even ask for it. He focuses on me, his eyes intent. I cling to Dare, overwhelmed by the intensity of our connection. I reach the peak and sail over it, my whole body tightening in pleasure.

Afterwards we lie entwined, hearts thudding in tandem. Dare presses a kiss to my hair.

"I love you, Talia," he whispers. "Today, tomorrow, always."

I smile softly. "I love you, too. I think I always have. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that I always will."

We share a final lingering kiss before settling into sleep, still wrapped in each other's arms.

As we drift off, my thoughts turn to Solana. My heart swells with love for the little girl who has come to mean so much to both of us. With her addition, our family finally feels complete.

I know the road ahead won't always be smooth. There will be challenges as Solana adjusts to her new life, and dangers we can't yet foresee. But together, Dare and I will face whatever comes.

Tomorrow we'll figure out the steps to make Solana's adoption official. I picture her joyful tears and Dare's proud smile. We'll be a family in truth as well as heart.

With Dare's strong arms around me and Solana sleeping safely down the hall, I know I have everything I need.

As sleep claims me, I make a silent promise: to nurture this new family we are building and to love them all with everything I have.