“And happy and exhausted and overwhelmed.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. “And all the other things new parents are supposed to be.”
“That sounds perfect,” I agreed.
That half smile curled up his face again. “Does this mean I’m getting a second chance?”
“A second and a third and however many times you need to get it right,” I agreed. “I’ll keep forgiving you as long as I know you’re trying. As long as I know youwantto get it right and be the father and partner that Baby and I deserve.”
He laughed, the sound vibrating through me. “I willneverstop trying,” he said with certainty as he lowered his head toward mine. I pressed up on my toes, meeting his icy lips. “I love you, Isla.”
“I love you too,” I murmured against his mouth. “Do you want to come home with me?”
His arms tightened around my waist, and it felt like he’d never let go. “I can’t think of anything I want more.”
30
LOCKE
Iheld Isla’s hand as we walked through the front door of the Deerhound, and it truly felt like coming home. I took a deep breath, letting reality settle into my bones. I was where I belonged, with the people I adored and the family I loved.
Isla locked the door behind us, giving me a soft smile, and I stroked her cheek, reveling in the feel of her skin, in the fact that I could touch her again, hold her, whisper sweet things against the top of her head.
“What is it?” she giggled.
“Nothing,” I said. “I’m just happy.” I knew there was still work to do to repair the damage I’d done, to prove that she could trust me beyond a doubt, but showing up and committing to stay was the first step. And I planned to do that every day for the rest of my life.
We shed and hung up our coats and other outerwear, then she took my hand and pulled me further into the lobby. I planned on holding her for the rest of the day, but as soon as he caught wind of us, Ranger launched himself off the couch, and I needed bothhands to brace myself against his weight. He barked excitedly as he pounced at me, getting up on his hind legs for maximum reach.
“Ranger, down,” Isla said, laughing. He sat obediently, looking up at me, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted heavily. The last time I’d seen him this excited, I was trying to wrangle him down the slide at the playground.
“Hey, buddy.” I crouched to give him a good scratch behind the ears. Ranger barked again, tail wagging so fast it dusted the magazines from the edge of the coffee table.
“He’s missed you,” Isla said. I leaned against her leg to help me balance, and she feathered her hands through my hair.
“He’s missed waking me up at the crack of dawn to go for a wee,” I countered.
Isla chuckled. “That’s your bonding time.”
I got to my feet after a few moments, and Ranger took himself back to the couch, flopping down with a contented huff.
“It always amazes me how quickly he falls asleep,” Isla noted.
I wound my arm around her shoulders. “He’s going to need those skills once the baby comes. We’ll be up and down all night, and he’ll probably be confused.”
“Ranger, do you know you’re going to be a big brother?” Isla said to him.
He woofed softly.
“This is why your bonding time is so important,” she said, patting my arm. “We’re going to need to give him extra attention so he doesn’t get jealous of the baby. Speaking of the baby,” shecontinued, catching her lip between her teeth, “do you want to see the nursery?”
“Do I want—Of course I want to see it!” I said, catching her face between my hands and pecking her on the lips. “I’m so excited to see what you’ve done.”
She beamed up at me like she still couldn’t believe I was actually here. “Okay, but no judging. It’s still a work in progress.” She tugged me across the lobby and down the hall. We walked past her room to a door I’d never been through before. She turned the knob slowly at first, then all at once. “Ta-da!”
I stepped inside, and my jaw dropped. My eyes flicked from the incredible foliage painted along the walls, to the plush blue carpet that had been rolled out along the middle of the floor like a small pond, to the various pieces of furniture with lovely dark wood stains that were covered in an assortment of stuffed animals. “What do you mean a work in progress?” I said, turning in a slow circle. “It looks amazing in here.”
“I went with a forest-y theme, as you can see,” she said, drumming her fingers against her chin. “I wanted it to be more than just blue, you know? I mean, I know we’re having a boy, but I also wanted it to feel a little fun and creative. Something he could grow with for a while. And I wanted to bring a bit of my mom to the room.” She gestured to the far wall which was very reminiscent of one of Aileen’s landscape paintings. “It’s not perfect, but…” She trailed off, glancing at me. “If you hate the theme, we can talk about changing some things up.”
“No, don’t change a single thing. It’s perfect. The walls look incredible. And to think you told me you couldn’t paint.”
