I hugged him tightly. "I'm proud of me too."

We were silent for a few minutes until Alec spoke.

"You know what I think you should do now?"

"What?"

"Forgive Micah and Jason."

Excuse me?

I pulled back from Alec. "What?"

"I know it seems crazy, but you just made peace with yourself and released yourself from you mother. It's time to do the same with Micah and Jason. You don't have to like them or involve them in your life, but you should forgive them."

I widened my eyes. "You want me to forgive him for doin' me wrong and forgive her for treaten' me like dirt all me life?"

Alec nodded his head. "Yeah, I do. I care about you so much Keela, and I refuse to watch you become a hateful person because of them. You don't have to like them, but forgive them."

I felt my eyes well up. "But why? Why can't I just hate them?"

Alec stepped forward and took me in his arms. "Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It eats away at you until it consumes you completely."

I frowned.

"Weak people seek revenge, strong people forgive, and intelligent people ignore. Which one are you?" Alec asked me.

I thought about it for a moment then said, "I'm all three. I'm a strong, intelligent person who sometimes has weak moments."

"You know what that makes you?"

I shook my head.

Alec smiled. "It makes you human, kitten."

I processed what he said; it took me a few minutes but I eventually nodded my head.

He was right.

I closed my eyes and thought about Micah and Jason. I thought about how horrible Micah was to me all my life, and how cruel Jason was. Even though nothing would change the past, I just thought about the three simple words that would change how I shaped my future.

I forgive you.

I wouldn't let Micah get me down anymore.

I forgive you.

I wouldn't let Jason have a hold over me anymore.

I forgive you.

I wouldn't let either of them have any impact on my life, none whatsoever.

I forgive you.

I blinked open my eyes and smiled at Alec. "I think it will take some time to be uncarin' when it comes to them, but I forgive them... Besides, Micah said at the weddin' she was workin' on not actin' like such a bitch all the time. There may be hope for her yet."

Alec kissed my forehead. "You're free, kitten."

I exhaled. "I feel it."

"Well, you're semi-free. I put a ring on it after all."

I looked down to my engagement ring and laughed.

Alec nuzzled his nose against mine. "I love you to Neptune and back."

I leaned up and kissed Alec's lips. "I love you, too."

"Come to bed," Alec's voice suddenly broke the silence of the night.

I got such a fright I almost came up off the settee.

The kitchen light flicked on and made me squint until my eyes adjusted.

"I don't like you being with other men, so come to bed. Now."

Other men?

Was he high?

"What are you talkin' about?" I asked, quizzically.

Alec grunted. "The guy's you write about and spend all your time with lately may be fictional, but it counts as spending time with other men so come to bed now."

I let a huge smile take over my face. That was the most adorable thing he has ever said to me.

Besides the penguin story of course.

"I'm beta reading Something Sweet by MJ Morphis."

"MJ... Is that Mary, the blonde women on your Facebook page?" Alec asked and I nodded my head.

"Did she write that book that had the nipple butter scene in it?" Alec laughed.

I snickered. "No, that was Yessi's book, Love, Always."

Alec hummed.

"What is happening with your book?"

I shrugged. "It's being beta read for plot holes and such. I'll put it on me Kindle tomorrow so you can read it, okay?"

Alec nodded his head then flicked his eyes to my laptop.

"What is it?"

He shrugged. "Every time you're on that thing lady, you're 'with your characters'... it's bugging me."

"You're jealous of my characters?" I asked as I saved my work and shut down my laptop.

"They get your attention."

I smiled as I walked towards Alec. "You want all me attention?"

Alec grinned. "All day, every day."

"Until Storm comes home you can have my undivided attention, playboy."

Alec waggled his eyebrows then deadpanned, "What do you mean until Storm comes home? What about after he is home?"

I smiled as I walked by Alec.

"I'll divide things up fifty-fifty."

Alec followed me down the hall to our bedroom.

"But we're getting married!"

I laughed. "Exactly."

Alec groaned as he shut our bedroom door.

"Fine, I'll take what I can get."

I smirked as I turned to face him, my hands placed on my hips.

"So... what do you want do to?"

"I want to play a game," Alec grinned and took a step towards me.

"What game?" I asked, smiling wide.

Alec hummed. "Let's play our clothes are on fire."

I laughed as Alec rushed forward and tackled me onto our bed.

He hovered over me and smiled. "Hi."

I beamed. "Hey."

I took this moment to be thankful. Thankful for laughter, thankful for family, thankful for Alec, and thankful for the life he breathed back into me. He was my savour, my rock, my future husband... and he was drop dead gorgeous.

Damn, I was a lucky bitch.

I did it. I finally did it. Alec is complete. Thank you, God!

I have a very large crew of people to thank, no, more like a village of people to thank.

As always I'd like to thank God first and foremost, through Him all things are possible.

I wouldn't be where I am today without my daughter; you're the best thing ever to happen to me. I love you with all my heart, mini me.

My family. My crazy, wonderful family. Everyone from my parents straight down to my second cousins have shown me nothing but love and support. Thank you all for believing in me, and hijacking family events to promote my books; I'm looking at you, ma. LOL. Love you all!

My sister, my crazy partner in crime. I love you so much, and I'm so happy you get to share in this incredible journey with me. You help me with everything; you listen to me go on and on about the same things in my books for months, and you haven't attempted to murder me yet. You're a star.

My crew of superwomen aka my beta readers! Yessi, Jill, Neeny, Dawn - I love my stalker ;) Kelly, Jodi, and Mary. I love each of you so much, and I am so grateful to have such a force of crazy awesomeness behind me. Thank you for everything you do.

Yessi, my sister from another mister. Getting to know you over the past year has truly made me believe God placed us on different sides of the Earth because people would not be able to handle us together. You're the Hispanic version of me, and I love you. Not many people can handle my personality, but you can because you're just as mental as me!

Jill, not only are you my PA but you're a friend. You're amazing at what you do; you're constantly on the ball, and if weren't for you I honestly don't know what I would do. You're my rock! Thank you for being the amazing person you are, love you!

Mary, my wonderful Mary. You're one of the most-amazing people that I know. You always manage to make me smile, no matter what it is you do. I'm so blessed to have your friendship. I cherish it. I can't wait to give you a big squeeze when I meet finally meet you face to face in September. I'm counting down the days. Love you loads.

Jennifer Tovar, the master behind Gypsy Heart Editing. Jen, thank you so much for spending hours going over Alec with a fine comb to make it as best as it could be. Thank you for all the GIF's and comments, they made going over edits SO much easier!

Mayhem Cover Creations, you have done it again LJ. Alec is the third cover you have created for me, and I am absolutely in love with it. Thank you!

C.P. Smith, my saviour. Thank so much you formatting Alec for me, you're an angel!

Last, but never least, my readers. I would not be typing the acknowledgments to my second book had it not been for each and every one of you. Thank you for making me dreams come true