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“Buying me a house is not taking it slow,” I state, going back to chopping vegetables forcefully. “This transition needs to happen gradually for all of us.”
“At least you’re not shutting me down,” he claims. “I love you, you know?”
“I do, but you’re still trying to figure out your life, your future,” I remind him, glancing at the kids who are happy playing in the backyard with the toys.
Brahms takes a deep breath before responding. “If you’re worried about the band and touring, don’t be. Next month we’re announcing that Cascade Midnight is breaking up.”
I gasp, nearly slicing my finger in shock. “But the band is your whole life.”
Brahms gives a sad half-smile. “No. You and the kids are my whole life. Cascade Midnight was mine and Zane’s dream. Without him . . . it’s been too fucking hard to continue. I just don’t have the heart for it anymore, and I should’ve stopped right after the accident.” He shrugs, aiming for casual but I can see the grief in his eyes. “The other guys can start something new.”
My heart aches for him. I set the knife down and turn to cup his stubbled cheek. “I’m so sorry. I know how much the band meant to you both.”
Leaning into my touch, some of the tension eases from Brahms’s face. “The music meant everything once. But you and our family are my whole world now. I’ll find new ways to play.”
His aquamarine eyes gaze deeply into mine, full of conviction. “I choose you, Seraphina. In this life and whatever comes next, it’s always going to be you.”
My breath catches at the sincerity of his words. Before I can respond, his hand slides around to cradle my neck, thumb tilting my chin up. Slowly, giving me time to pull away, he leans down.
When his lips meet mine, they are infinitely gentle and worshipful. Our eyes remain locked, blue on brown, as he kisses me with exquisite tenderness. My lids flutter closed and I melt into him, hands sliding up to twist in his hair.
Kissing Brahms feels like coming home after the longest journey away. My entire being responds to the taste of his mouth, the warmth of his body pressing close. In this perfect suspended moment, the rest of the world falls away.
All that exists is Brahms’s arms around me, his rapid heartbeat matching mine, our shared breath, and the unspoken promises of two fractured souls trying to find ourselves through the debris of the past.
Every ounce of pain, every misunderstanding, every moment of distance melts away, and all that remains is the undeniable love that has always been there, waiting for a moment like this to come alive again.
Suddenly, a burst of childish giggles pierces the serene moment. We pull apart, startled, to find our kids peeking at us from the doorway, eyes wide and mischievous grins on their faces.
“Eww, Dad was kissing Mom,” Ewan exclaims, nose scrunched dramatically.
Ary’s eyes smile in delight.
I feel my cheeks flush crimson. “We, uh . . .”
But Brahms just laughs, the tension broken. He scoops both kids up, kissing their heads noisily. “Yes, we were kissing because I was telling your mom how much I love her,” he says, as he sets them back on their feet.
“Dad’s never going to catch us, Ary, let’s hide in the attic,” Ewan is laughing loudly.
Brahms stops and stares at them. This is the first time Ewan doesn’t call him Mr. or Mr. Dad. He glances at me as if saying, I did it. They finally like me.
But I think they more than like him. It’s been only a few days, but he’s been here to wake them up and get them to school and is still here until they fall asleep after he reads them a story.
“Thank you,” he mouths before going back to chase the twins.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Seraphina
It’s been years since the last time I went out on a date. Brahms didn’t give me a hint about his plans, but he did tell me he would take us to the city. He wants to introduce the kids to Roger and his brothers. After debating my entire wardrobe, I decide on a simple black dress—classy but not overly dressy. I take extra care applying a touch of makeup and styling my hair in soft curls.
As I assess myself in the mirror, butterflies flutter nervously in my stomach. I feel suddenly shy, almost like a teenager going on a first date. Silly, considering everything Brahms and I have been through. But exciting too. A fresh start for us.
“Mommy, you look beautiful!” Aria declares when I emerge. Even Ewan nods approvingly from where he’s flipping through a comic book.
The doorbell rings just as I’m slipping on heels, making my pulse leap. This is it.
“Mom, Dad is already here,” Ewan yells from the living room. When I arrive, I find Brahms looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored suit, eyes lit with affection as he takes me in.
