Create many new family traditions. (Allow me to be part of your family.)
Make 1–4 babies with Pace, if the fates allow. (Now, I would love to have a half dozen kids at least, but as you are the baker and the oven, I’m open to discussion. We will call it a Reach Goal.)
To Be Continued Forever. . .
35
Sophie
“I can’t believeI just did that.” I shook my head, blowing on my teacup. The warmth was returning to my extremities, but I wouldn’t forget this day for the rest of my life.
I had really meant to make Pace talk about some of his feelings before he blurted his love confession. But when the world’s hottest fireman confesses his love, and you make plans for a lifetime together, people get swept up in the moment.
But we did need to talk.
Once we were settled in my kitchen, I brewed some tea, setting the dainty cups in front of each of us. Grandma had texted that she was staying over at Gigi’s tonight and made some comment about the thin walls of our home, which I was thoroughly ignoring.
Pace gingerly sniffed his chamomile tea before taking the tiniest, most hesitant sip. “Bleck. No, sorry, I thought maybe this time, but no.” He pushed the cup away, and I laughed.
“It’s okay. I have some of these too.” I pulled out one of his favorite bubbly waters and handed it to him.
We made a careful toast with our drinks.
“You did it though. You were incredible,” he said, smiling up at me. The snow had mussed his hair, and the cold made his cheeks red, and I had the vision of what his children might look like, and it made my heart swell.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you,” I said. “You’ve taught me that I can experience the fear and still do the scary thing.”
“I didn’t do anything; that was all you.”
“Thank you anyway,” I said. “I’m mortified by how I handled everything the night of the ball. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I left when I said I wouldn’t.”
Pace came around the island that separated us and held me in his arms. “You don’t need to apologize. I never gave you any indication of how I felt for you. I thought if I kept you at a safe distance, if I only showed the best parts of me, that you wouldn’t ever leave me. I was so terrified that you had put me on this pedestal and I was doomed to come crashing off it. But I want to share all the sides of myself with you. It’s been so easy to love you and be whatever you need me to be. Taking care of you is as natural as breathing for me.”
“Let me take care of you, the way you take care of me. Please, give me the honor of being that person for you too,” I said.
His forehead lowered to mine.
“I asked Kaylee to marry me,” he whispered.
I shot back, out of his arms.
“Shit. Sorry. No. Years ago. On the night of graduation,” he added, quickly scrambling to hold me again.
“Pace, start with the date next time. Or, you know, just stop proposing to people,” I teased.
He laughed at himself. “This is what I’m saying. I have a hard time talking about this. It’s easy for me to be the listener, butsharing is hard. I don’t always understand what I’m feeling.” He tugged off his winter hat and tossed it on the counter.
I nodded and laced our fingers together before I brought him over to the couch and pulled him until his head rested in my lap.
“Just talk. And I’ll listen. You are safe here.” I brushed my fingers through his red-blond curls. “My love is made of tough stuff. It won’t scare away so easily.”
