Heartprints in the Void
⊰ 2.5 ⊱ A Slice of Peace

**Cade**

The sun glints off the storefront windows as Elysian and I stroll down the quaint main street of this tiny town, Naomi balanced on my hip, her little hand clutching my shirt. The air is crisp, the scent of pine and wood smoke drifting on the breeze. It feels like we're in our own little world here, far from the chaos and complications of the city.

I glance down at Elysian, my heart swelling at the sight of her. She's practically glowing, her face alight with a happiness I haven't seen in far too long. *I'd do anything to keep that smile on her face.*

Our destination comes into view, a small, unassuming jewelry store nestled between a cozy-looking bookshop and a rustic café. The bell above the door jingles as we step inside, the scent of polished metal and glass cleaner hanging in the air. The elderly gentleman behind the counter looks up, a warm smile spreading across his weathered face. "Good morning! How can I help you folks today?"

"We're looking for wedding bands," I say, the words feeling strange and wonderful on my tongue.

*Wedding bands. For our wedding. Because I'm marrying the love of my life.*

The thought fills me with a warmth that has nothing to do with the sunlight streaming through the windows or the warm weight of Naomi in my arms.

The jeweler's eyes twinkle as he takes in our linked hands, the ring already glittering on Elysian's finger. "Ah, congratulations! Let me show you our selection."

As he begins pulling out trays of gleaming rings, my phone vibrates insistently in my pocket. I frown, pulling it out to see my father's name flashing on the screen.

*What the hell does he want now?*

I set Naomi down, Elysian immediately taking her hand, and excuse myself, stepping outside to take the call. The crisp autumn air does little to cool the irritation simmering under my skin as I swipe to answer. "What?" I snap.

"Where are you?" David's voice is sharp, demanding. "I stopped by your house and you weren't there. Neither was Naomi."

I clench my jaw, my free hand balling into a fist at my side. I'm a 31-year-old man, for Christ's sake. I don't need to report my every move to him.

"We're out of town for a few days," I reply evenly, trying to keep my temper in check. "I had some *personal* matters to attend to."

There's a pause, and I can practically hear the gears turning in his head. "Personal matters? What the hell is so personal you decided to drop everything and leave?"

*None of your fucking business.*

"Like I said, it's personal," I grit out, my patience wearing thin. "I'll see you when I get back."

"Cade, listen to me. I-"

I don't let him finish. With a muttered curse, I end the call, resisting the urge to hurl my phone into the street.

Breathe. Just breathe.

I take a moment to compose myself, to push down the anger boiling in my veins. I won't let him ruin this. I plan to confront him, but not until I know that Elysian is safe. Not until I know my *family* is safe from him. When I step back into the store, Elysian looks up from where she's crouched down, showing Naomi a sparkling bracelet. Her brow furrows at the expression on my face.

"Everything okay? You seem upset."

For a moment, I consider telling her, to unburden myself. But then I see the worry in her eyes, the way she unconsciously pulls Naomi a little closer. She's been through so much already. I won't add to it, not now. Not when we're supposed to be celebrating.

So I force a smile, shaking my head. "Everything's fine, love. Just work stuff. Nothing to worry about."

*Nothing I can't handle.*

She doesn't look entirely convinced, but she doesn't push it. Instead, she straightens, Naomi balanced on her hip, and holds up her hand, a simple silver band glinting on her finger.

"What do you think of this one? I thought... I thought maybe we could get them engraved. With our initials, or maybe the date."

Her voice is soft, almost hesitant. Like she's still not quite sure this is real, that we're really doing this.

I take her hand in mine, running my thumb over the smooth metal. It's perfect, just like her.

"I love it," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

The drive back to the cabin is quiet, the radio a low hum in the background as Elysian dozes in the passenger seat, her hand still clasped in mine. I glance in the rearview mirror, smiling softly at the sight of Naomi slumbering peacefully in her car seat, her little face relaxed and cherubic.

*My girls. My family.*

The thought wraps around me with a comfort, pushing away the lingering chill of my father's call.

When we arrive, I gently shake Elysian awake, brushing a stray hair from her face as her eyes flutter open. "We're home," I whisper, the word feeling right in a way it never has before.

*Home. With her, anywhere is home.*

She smiles sleepily stretching as she sits up. Together, we unload the car, Elysian cradling a still-sleeping Naomi against her chest as we make our way inside.

I watch as she lays Naomi down in the portable playpen in the bedroom right beside ours, tucking the blankets around her with a tenderness that makes my heart ache. She may not have given birth to her, but there's no denying the bond between them. Watching Elysian with her, the easy way she's stepped into the role of a mother... It reminds me so much of my own mother.

*It's no wonder Mom liked her so much.*

Elysian settles beside me on the plush rug, her head coming to rest on my shoulder as we watch the flames of the fireplace dance. I wrap an arm around her, pulling her closer, savoring the feel of her body against mine. "Can you believe it?" she murmurs, her voice soft and wondrous. "In just a few days, we'll be married."

*Married.*

The word echoes in my head, a promise and a prayer all at once. I turn to face her, cupping her cheek in my palm, my thumb brushing over the delicate skin.

"I can't wait," I breathe, leaning in to capture her lips with my own in a slow and tender kiss.

It quickly ignites into something more. Her mouth opens under mine, her tongue tangling with my own as she presses closer, her hands fisting in my shirt.

I groan, low in my throat, the sound swallowed by her kiss. My hands roam her body, skimming over her curves, mapping the dips and valleys I know so well. She arches into my touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Cade," she gasps, my name a plea on her tongue.

I know what she wants, what she *needs*. It's the same hunger that claws at my gut, the same desperate ache that thrums through my veins.

But as much as I want her, as much as I need to lose myself in her, I force myself to slow down, to pull back. I rest my forehead against hers, our breaths mingling in the scant space between us.

"What's a couple more days?" I murmur, my voice rough with barely restrained desire. "The next time I have you, I want it to be as my wife."

She shudders, her eyes dark and heavy-lidded as she looks up at me. "Your wife," she echoes, a small smile playing at the corners of her kiss-swollen lips. "I like the sound of that."

I grin, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead. "Me too, Ely. You have no idea."

We settle back into each other's arms, content to simply bask in the warmth of the fire and the promise of our future. There will be time enough for passion, for exploring each other in all the ways we crave. But for now, this is enough. This quiet moment, this slice of peace.

*This is everything.*