Because we talked about this. Focus. He turned to Lena. I know we've only been together officially for 6 months. I know this is fast, but I also know that I don't want to do life without you.
Lena's heart started doing complicated things. The kids and I talked. Adrien continued, "And we're all in agreement." He pulled out a small box from his pocket. "Lena Carter, will you marry me?"
The kitchen went completely silent. Lena stared at the ring, simple, elegant, exactly her style, and felt tears starting. "You talk to the kids first," she managed. "Of course, this affects them, too." She looked at Sophieie, who was bouncing in her seat.
At Marcus, who was trying to look cool but failing, at Thomas, who just grinned. "You're all okay with this?" she asked them. "Are you kidding?" Sophieie said. "We've been waiting forever for Dad to ask."
"It's been 3 days," Adrien said. "That's forever." Lena laughed, crying at the same time. "This is insane." Completely, Adrien agreed.
"Is that a yes? I don't I can't have kids. You know that, right? This is it. The three of them.
No babies. No. Lena. Adrien's voice was gentle but firm. I have three kids.
I'm 42 years old. I'm not looking for more children. I'm looking for a partner, someone to build a life with. That's you. But no butts.
Do you want to marry me or not? She looked at the four of them. this impossible family that had found her in a bus shelter and decided she was worth keeping and realized the answer was obvious. "Yes," she said. "Yes, I want to marry you." The kids cheered.
Adrien slid the ring on her finger and kissed her while Sophieie made gagging noises. And the boys groaned about PDA. It was perfect, messy, and loud and nothing like the formal proposal Marcus had done at that expensive restaurant all those years ago. It was real. They got married 3 months later in the backyard.
Nothing fancy, just family and close friends and the kids standing up with them. Sophieie was the flower girl and took her job so seriously she made everyone laugh. The boys fought over who got to hold the rings, and Adrien had to split the duty between them to keep the peace. Lena wore a simple dress she'd found at a boutique downtown. Adrien wore a suit and cried during his vows, which made everyone else cry, which made Sophieie announce loudly that weddings were too emotional.
When they were pronounced married, the kids tackled them both in a group hug before they could even kiss. "Our turn first," Thomas said. "Then you can do the gross stuff." Adrien laughed and pulled all of them close. "Fair enough.
Life settled into a new rhythm after that." Lena was officially a Cole, though the kids still called her Lena because that's what felt right. She didn't need them to call her mom. Didn't need the title to know she mattered. They had their bad days.