“Told you,” she said smugly. “Not dangerous.”
He wanted to argue, and point out that one time wasn’t enough data, but the words stuck in his throat because she was right. He’d been terrified of losing control and hurting her, convinced his monster was barely leashed. Instead Hyde had been gentle. Protective. Present without being destructive.
Maybe his father’s legacy didn’t have to be his future. Maybe control wasn’t about suppression but acceptance.
He pulled her closer, careful of her stomach, and buried his face in her hair. “Thank you.”
“For the sex?” Her laugh vibrated against his chest. “You’re welcome but I think I should be thanking you.”
“For trusting me,” he said roughly. “For not giving up on me when I gave you every reason to.”
Her hand found his, curving around his fingers. “I told you. I’m stubborn.”
“I’m starting to appreciate that quality.”
They lay in comfortable silence, watching firelight dance across the ceiling. His body slowly shifted back to fully human, the transformation painless now that he wasn’t fighting it. The storm still raged outside but it felt distant and unimportant. In here, wrapped around Chloe with her trust warming him better than any fire, he felt something he hadn’t experienced in years.
Peace.
Hyde settled contentedly in the back of his mind. No longer raging or demanding. Just… content.Safe,Hyde murmured.Ours. Home.
Home. Yes.
He’d spent his whole adult life running from this feeling, convinced that belonging meant danger, but lying here with her—pregnant and vulnerable and absolutely fearless—he started to believe differently. Maybe home wasn’t something to fear. Maybe it was something worth protecting.
The baby kicked against his hand and he smiled. “Active little one.”
“Takes after her mother.” She yawned. “Stubborn and inappropriate timing.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I should let you sleep.”
“Don’t you dare move.” She burrowed closer. “I’ve gone a week without you. I’m not letting go now.”
“Bossy.”
“You love it.”
His heart clenched because yes, he did. He loved her bossiness and her courage. He loved how she demanded better from him while accepting him exactly as he was.
“I do,” he admitted quietly. “Love it. I love you.”
She went still, then she tilted her face up to meet his eyes.
“Say that again.”
His throat tightened but he didn’t look away. “I love you. Both of you.” His hand settled protectively over her belly. “I’m terrified and still convinced I’m going to mess this up, but I love you.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I love you too. Have for weeks now.”
“I don’t deserve?—”
“Yes, you do.” She kissed him firmly. “You deserve to be loved and wanted and trusted. And I’m going to keep reminding you of that until you believe it.”
He pulled her closer, emotion flooding his chest. “Might take a while.”
“Good thing I’m patient.” She gave him a soft smile. “We have time.”
Time. Yes. For the first time in forever, he believed they did.
