Now, I lift her with my hands under her ass and set her against the wall of the shower. She wraps her legs around my waist, inviting me in. I nudge at her wet heat with my cock, then slowly slide inside her.
“Teo,” she moans against my skin. “My Teo.”
“Quinn. Always mine.” I build up speed as gradually as I can, savoring the interlude, trying to make it last. Eventually the urgency takes over, until I’m pummeling her, driving into her hard and fast. I’m just about to tell her to find her clit and finish herself off when she cries out and clamps down, sending me over the edge with her.
When we’ve recovered, we finish the shower and dry off. I love our kids, but I’m thankful that Quinn and I managed some quality alone time without any interruptions. A few minutes later, we’re in bed together, and my mind starts to drift.
One day, when my leave was almost up, I took Quinn to meet Gavriella at the private facility where she’d been lingering in a coma since suffering an overdose. I held my cousin’s hand, and told her how much I loved her, and how thankful I was that she’d been a part of my life. I told her that in my mind, she was blameless; but if she felt she wanted, or needed, my forgiveness for anything, then she had it.
Then it was Quinn’s turn. She told Gavi how much she loved me; that I was a good man, one who cared deeply about people, about right and wrong; and that she, Gavriella, had been instrumental in making me who I was.
The next day, Gavi slipped quietly away. Quinn believes that our visit gave her the peace she needed to let go. I’d like to think that’s true, that we’re a small part of the reason she’s not suffering anymore.
Not long after that, Quinn and I got officially engaged. When our baby girl was born, it was Quinn’s idea to name her after Gavi. Our wedding was small … for an Adamo event.
“Teo?” Quinn says sleepily.
“Hmm?” I roll to my side so I’m spooning her. The injuries I got from Santiago have long since healed, except for some scarring along my ribs. It doesn’t hurt, and Quinn doesn’t mind it, so most of the time I forget it’s there.
“I forgot to put Gavi’s pediatrician appointment on the calendar; that injured swan came in just then. Help me remember to write it down tomorrow, please.”
“Gavi, pediatrician, calendar. Got it.”
“Thank you, baby. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I should be asleep already, but all the conversation at dinner has dredged up old memories. When my leave was up, Garcia tried to get me to come back to the force. But my heart wasn’t in it anymore, and I wouldn’t have been doing my fellow cops any favors by staying.
I thought about joining Carlo’s firm, but I’m too independent to take orders well. Then Quinn mentioned the idea of the wildlife sanctuary, and it brought back my childhood love of animals, and in a weird sort of way it all seemed to fit.
Quinn says it’s not weird at all, that I’m a protector at heart. My wife is wiser about such things than I am. I only know I’m a damn lucky man, and the rest of my life is not too long to show my gratitude.
I tuck her closer and slide into slumber.
