Be Careful What You Wish For: A Zombie Apocalypse
Chapter 395: No Other Way

Chapter 395: No Other Way

The moment I opened the door, I could smell dinner and something sweet. A gentle breeze floated through the house from the opened window in the living room, and plants and vines danced in the air.

I narrowed my eyes, seeing a whole new wall of plants, wondering where they had come from, but I quickly lost interest. They were pretty, they were fun, and if they continued to multiply like that, then the house would just have to get bigger to accommodate everyone.

"When in doubt, green it out," I shrugged, taking off my shoes and heading into the kitchen. I had no idea where my newest pets disappeared to, but I could only assume that the house was taking care of them just like it took care of the rest of us.

"What?" asked Beau, his head cocked to the side.

"Plants," I muttered, sitting in my seat at the island. Pointing up to the cupboards on the other side of me, I showed him where the vines trailed along and down, the original plant itself nowhere to be found. "I think I heard it on a decorating show or something like that."

Beau grunted before pulling out his chair and looking down at the dinner plate in front of him. Dante, who had quickly joined us with the rest of the guys, couldn’t help but snort as he held up a piece of chicken. "I don’t remember the last time I had dino-nuggets," he said, shaking his head.

However, none of the guys really complained. We all dug into the offering like starving people, and soon enough, dinner was done and dessert had been served. The house could really make a mind-blowing chocolate cake.

Feeling full and more than a bit sleepy, I got off my chair and strolled into the living room. With all the plants, it was almost as if there was a different feeling in the room. The air seemed sweeter as I took in a deep breath.

"Happy?" asked Ronan, pulling me down onto the couch next to him.

"How could I not be?" I replied. "I have everything I have ever dreamed of and more."

"Good," he whispered, kissing my temple as he got us more comfortable. "Your happiness is de most important thing ta all of us."

"Just like your happiness is important to me," I assured him. The rest of the guys slowly filtered into the room and took seats around us. A TV appeared in front of the display case with Père’s head in it. Next to the TV were multiple DVDs and a player.

"Who wants to watch a movie?" asked Tank, walking over and turning on the TV. Ever so slowly, my eyes closed in contentment. This was what heaven really was. Not the idealized theme of angels and white clouds, but this... spending time with your loved ones.

-----

I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, Ronan was gently picking me up off the couch as the rest of the guys were fast asleep.

"Come on," he whispered, taking me out of the room silently. "Let’s get you more comfortable."

"Sorry, I fell asleep," I replied, a light blush burning my cheeks. Curling around the man carrying me, I breathed in the scent that was uniquely Ronan. When he laid me down in the bed, I lifted the cover so he could come in with me.

Without hesitation, he slid into bed.

Pulling me into his arms, he buried his face in the back of my neck. "Yous ’ave no idea how grateful I am dat you found me," he whispered softly, his lips brushing against my skin with every word that he spoke.

"Technically, Dimitri was the one who found me," I answered with a soft chuckle.

"Don’t remind me," grumbled Ronan as his fingers drifted up and down my stomach. "De man willna ever let us forget it."

I couldn’t help but chuckle at how put out he sounded.

We laid there for a few moments in the dim glow, just breathing. The sounds of the jungle outside were muted by the magic of the house, like our own personal lullaby.

"You know I ain’t like the others," Ronan said after a moment. His arms tightened around me as if he was scared that I might slip away. "I ain’t got no silver tongue. I don’t say sweet nothin’s to get into your good graces."

"I know," I smiled. While he might not be as quiet as Salvatore, Ronan definitely wasn’t a flit.

"I ain’t smart like Beau, or a leader like Dante. I’m just the guy who shoots things and takes naps in inconvenient places."

"You’re more than that."

He looked at me then, his eyes darker than the dim lighting should’ve made them. "You made me more than that."

I blinked, unsure how to respond. Ronan didn’t do deep conversations. He didn’t wax poetic. His version of romantic was letting me use his chest as a pillow or carrying me when I was too tired to walk.

Taking in a deep breath, Ronan rolled me over so that I was lying on my side, staring into his eyes. "I thought about dis a hundred times, wantin’ it ta be special or somethin’... but last night taught me dat dere is no perfect time. Any time with you is perfect."

My eyes searched his, wanting to make sure that I wasn’t getting my hopes up for nothing. I wanted the guys to offer me back the part of my soul that was inside of them, but I didn’t want to demand it, either. The fact that in all the time we had been together, only three of the Sins had gone so far as to merge our souls made me feel weird.

I was happy and grateful for Dante, Salvatore, and Désiré’s souls inside of me, but then my insecurities came out to play as to why the others hadn’t.

Holding my breath, I waited for Ronan’s next words. "I, Sloth, de seventh Deadly Sin, submit everythin’ ta my Maker. I’ll be your bullet and your gun. I want ta be de one who makes sure dat no one gets close ta you. I want ta be de one who naps with you whenever we can. I want ta be your safe haven. Do you want me?"

"Of course I want you," I breathed out. Closing my eyes, I felt more than saw the shard of my soul that he was offering, and I felt it as it entered my chest. "From now on, we are forever merged together."

"I’d ’ave it no other way."