The RV hummed steadily beneath them, a familiar drone that now signified not escape, but approach. The vast, flat expanse of the Midwest had given way to the more densely populated, greener landscapes of the East Coast. Cities began to cluster more frequently, and the traffic, while not yet New York-level, thickened noticeably. It was still mid-to-late May, and the air carried the faint, humid scent of impending summer, a stark contrast to the dry heat of the Nevada desert they'd left behind.
Remy sat nestled against Theo's side, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder. His arm was a constant, solid weight around her waist, his fingers idly stroking her hip. His possessiveness, once a subtle undercurrent, was now as natural and comforting as breathing. She leaned into it, a profound sense of belonging settling deep in her bones. She was his. And he was hers. And the world, with all its chaotic demands, seemed to bend around that simple, powerful truth.
"Okay, Theo," Remy announced, stirring. She pulled out a small, laminated card she'd made, a 'Cheat Sheet for Engaged Couple Impersonation.' "Review time. Scenario: Awkward family dinner. Question: 'So, how did you two lovebirds meet?' Your answer?"
Theo sighed, a long, suffering sound, but a faint smile touched his lips. "We met at an exclusive, very boring art auction. My obscure knowledge of early American folk art utterly captivated you. You were intrigued by my quiet intensity." He glanced at her, a wry amusement in his dark eyes.
Remy giggled, batting her eyelashes. "It sounds very convincing! And my answer is: 'I was simply drawn to his... deep, soulful gaze across the room. It was like fate!' And then I'll add a little anecdote about how you heroically saved a very expensive porcelain cat from crashing, proving your gentle nature."
Theo let out a full-bellied laugh, a rare, uninhibited sound that always warmed Remy. He squeezed her tighter. "There was no porcelain cat, Remy. And I would have let it crash."
"Details, details!" she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "It sells the story! This is about performance, Theo. Winning over the crowd. Your family is the most intimidating audience I've ever had, so we have to be on." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of genuine excitement and a healthy dose of nerves.
He felt a pang in his chest. His family. The formidable Morettis. He knew the world she was about to step into was nothing like her foster homes, or the quirky roadside attractions she adored. It was a world of rigid expectations, unspoken rules, and an undercurrent of danger that, while currently dormant, was never truly gone. He tightened his grip on her, a silent promise of protection. He would shield her from the sharp edges, from the scrutinizing glances, from the weight of his legacy. He would protect their secret, their fragile, beautiful, unconventional love, at all costs.
He thought of the ring, gleaming on her finger. It was a symbol of their public "engagement" to his family, but to them, it was the sacred bond of their secret marriage, sealed in Vegas. This shared deception was their private joke, their rebellious act against the world's expectations. It was another layer of intimacy, binding them closer than any conventional vows ever could. Remy understood the stakes, and she embraced them with a thrilling, almost reckless abandon that both terrified and exhilarated him.
"You're not nervous, are you?" Remy asked suddenly, her voice soft, her fingers tracing the rough stubble on his jaw. "About introducing me?"
Theo looked at her, his gaze unwavering. "Nervous?" He scoffed, a familiar, dismissive sound that lacked its usual bite. "I am Theo Moretti. I do not get nervous." He paused, then, a rare, genuine vulnerability touching his dark eyes, he admitted, "I am… protective. Of you. My family… they can be… overwhelming. But you, Remy, you are not like anyone they've ever met. And they will love you. Eventually." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "You will charm them. Just like you charmed me."
Remy smiled, a soft, tender expression that filled him with warmth. "And you, Theo Moretti, are a terrible liar when it comes to your feelings. But thank you. I'll take it." She snuggled closer, her body molding against his.
The RV sped onward, devouring the last miles to the East Coast. The energy of New York, a vibrant, demanding hum, was beginning to feel closer, a distant pull that would soon become an undeniable roar. Their journey, which had started with an accidental kidnapping and a life-altering misdiagnosis, was about to enter its most challenging, and perhaps most rewarding, phase. Their secret marriage, a precious flame, would be hidden amidst the grandeur and expectations of the Moretti family. And together, Theo knew, they would navigate it all. Because with Remy, anything was possible. Even a future he'd never dared to dream of.