A look I couldn’t decipher flashed across his face. “It’s fine.”
Then he was kissing me, and I forgot it for the moment. His hand moved to my stomach, caressing over my growing bump, and he pulled his mouth from mine, exhaling against my lips.
Emotion hit me all at once, tears burning behind my eyes. “You give me faith that this is possible,” I managed, covering his hand with my own. “That I can actually do this.”
“You can.” His deep blue gaze met mine.
“I know. But—” I shook my head, my throat closing around the words.
“Zadie…” He kissed the corner of my mouth, his lips trailing over my wet cheek. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
I swallowed back the lump of fear that was trying to silence me. “I don’t want to do it on my own.”
His breath stalled, his hand going still on my stomach. “You don’t have to. I’m right here. I’ll always be here. I promise you, Zadie, I won’t leave you. And I won’t let anyone hurt either of you. Ever.”
He said ever, but what I heard was forever. And that was the promise he branded me with.
Forever.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Caleb
Tears streamed down Zadie’s face, but she wasn’t falling apart. It was the last of her walls crumbling. She looked at me with an expression so open it almost hurt to witness.
“I want you to be the father.”
Her words echoed through me, cracking pieces of me I didn’t know were still whole enough to be broken. “Zadie…that’s…”
“I know.” She sighed, her body curling toward me, her forehead resting against my shoulder. “But I really want it to be you.”
I pulled her closer, tucking her against my chest. Her breath was warm and unsteady against my neck.
“I wish it was me.” I kissed the side of her face. “Wish it could be.”
She lifted her head, her eyes wet but unwavering. And still so fucking beautiful.
“I want kids. I want a huge family.” My throat tightened. “But the treatments that saved my life damaged me, Zadie. I probably never be able to have kids of my own.”
Still crying, she pressed a hand to my chest. “Then let me give you this.” Her voice was fierce and shaking at the same time. “I’m not wishing on a star. I’m asking you. I want you to be the father of my child. No one else. Just you.”
The air left my lungs. My arms tightened around her, but I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t find a single word big enough for what she’d just handed me.
“Cal?” she whispered. “Say something.”
“What about Sean?” Fuck. Those were not the words I wanted.
“What about him?” She pinned me with a stare that dared me to push back. “I’d never deny him his basic rights. But he’s a mess. Unless he changes how he lives, I’m not sure he’s safe to have around a baby.”
Tension rolled through her, her hands turning to fists at my chest. “Besides, I’ve tried to contact him. Multiple times. He’s obviously not interested in talking to me. I can only assume he’s not interested in being a father either.”
“You don’t know that. People change. If he?—”
“Trust me,” she cut in. “I know.”
“Zadie...”
“It’s okay. I’m done worrying about him. He’s not interested, and that’s fine. It’s good, even.” She cupped my face. “Because I don’t want him. I want you. And you still haven’t answered me.”
