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“We do this together,” I say. “You and me.”
So many people idolize these famous families. They represent something bigger than themselves. They are hope and inspiration and light in dark times, and inadvertently, by protecting them, we’re protecting that essence too.
I felt like no one knew me. No one saw me. Except my brothers. My family. My family.
House that isolated our frustration, anger, feuds, fistfights, hurt, and rage—but I’m going to remember the good. The laughter, the love. Growing closer to Jane. Growing closer to her family, to Farrow and this brotherhood of men. I smile.
My brother will always have my soul. Twenty-eight-years together does that.
Family constantly makes me feel like the wealthiest man in the world. There’s not a day I’d ever take them for granted.
That for as long as I live, no one on this earth will touch her with ill intent or hatred or harm.
“A home isn’t a house, Jane. It’s the people you love,
I revere every little bit of my mom, and lately, I haven’t needed to remind myself that I’m just as worthy and beautiful.
Truth: 9 times out of 10, Uncle Loren will find a way to either pull Lily away or become a part of the PJ party.
“Your big, overwhelming heart comes from your mom.” Into a sip of wine, my mom says, “Even though mine is hidden behind a layer of ice.” So I’m a bit of both. My mom and my dad.
The knowledge warms me like the feeling you receive when you finish a very good book.
Is it possible for a love of something so deep to creep up on you without even knowing? Without even searching?
My mom looks at me like I’m her daughter. Flesh and blood come to life. “You can do anything, gremlin.” Anything.
“I’m scared to love him, but God, I do. So infinitely and terribly.”
“You’re not two halves, Jane. You don’t lose when you love. You gain.”
“With the right person, they’ll ensure you’re always whole.”
“I need you. I need you like the air I breathe, and I want you like ground beneath my feet. I’m not afraid—I’m not afraid, not even a little. You are the man who has respected all of who I am and protected every little piece of me.”
“You keep me whole,” I profess. “And love—that dreaded, beautiful word—love.” I breathe, “Love is two wholes. We are two-hundred percent—an illogical number, maddening, and I will forever embrace every illogical, maddening second with you.”
For the longest time, out of all the March sisters in Little Women—I aspired to be Jo. Fiercely independent with career passions and desires far outside a household. It turns out, all along, I resisted against being Meg. I want to be a wife and to one day raise children, a life as traditional as they come, and that ending is as worthy as any other.
“We will always choose you first. You’re my blood and bones.”
“Many people need me, but there are only a handful that I’d drop everything for—and you’re now among them.”
But the biggest reaction was Maximoff’s. Her best friend. He hugged Jane. Then gave me a hug. He said, “I’m proud of Jane for following her heart, and I’m glad you’re the guy on the other side of it.” I’d repeat that moment a thousand times just to see the happiness on Jane’s face over and over again.
Wouldn’t dream of anything else than to be next to Jane forever.
My family means everything to me like hers does, and she remembers. Always remembers.
Life is short—I’ve known that since I lost my older brother. And while I’m on this earth, I want to be happy.
I love her. Every last part down to the bottom of her soul.
“You’re the best there ever could be, Jane.”
In awe of her kindness and love. “You’re a beautiful person. I hope you know that.”
“I love you, and I’m by your side in everything.”
I can wait decades, but I’d love nothing more than to call Jane my wife. I’d marry her tomorrow if I could.
Her faith in me is like a beacon of light guiding my ship to shore.
“I belong here,” I say again, “because I love deeply and I’m learning to feel deeply too, and I make no apologies for who I am.”
“You’re a family of warriors—I’m a warrior too. We just have different weapons. You use words. I use a gun. And ever since I was a young kid, I wanted to be that Spartan hero for someone. I belong here. Not anywhere else.”
Looks like I’m a father of six—now seven—cats.
But I know Thatcher. He’d die for just about anyone.
“I’ve fallen madly in love with you.”
“You’re my duty. My heart, and you come first.”
“Your entire life is built on service to others. I don’t want different. I don’t need different. I need you exactly as you are, just as you’ve loved me as exactly as I am.”
“I love you, I love you, I love you, and let me tell you how terribly and tremendously I do.”
I can live inside hell, but for the first time, I’ve finally reached heaven—and I’m happy and I’m staying. I’m staying. To build a life and future and family. Right here, with Jane Eleanor Cobalt. For forever.
I never want to leave his embrace, happiness is right here in his arms. And if we’re strong enough to survive ice and fire together, we can survive anything. Sempre toujours. Always always.
