Page 147 of Lennox Lane

“Lennox,” she called, touched by his words.

“And I’m going to spend my life proving you right,” His voice filled with emotion. “I’m going to make you my wife, Lane Sanders.”

She stilled at the word ‘wife’, not because she didn’t want marriage; she absolutely did. Something about the word wife entered the room and found the little girl in her who had once believed titles like that belonged to women who were chosen gently, loved loudly, and protected consistently. Women who had mothers to help them dress. Women who knew how to walk toward forever without checking for exits. Lane blinked, and her tears slipped free. She hadn’t cried this much ever, but with Lennox—felt safe in her vulnerability.

“I never felt like I’d be worthy of that title,” she whispered.

“You were worthy before you knew what it meant,” his words speaking life into Lane.

She shook her head.

“Yes,” he said with a firm softness, as he continued to pour into her, “Before all the accolades and accomplishments, you were worthy when you were a little girl who should’ve been protected. You were worthy when you were hungry. You were worthy when you ran and thrived. You were worthy when you rebuilt yourself with nobody cheering. Wife is not a title you have to earn by being unbreakable. It’s a title I’ll be honored to give you, if or when you’re ready,” he finished.

Lane pressed her face into his chest for a moment. She was overwhelmed by his certainty. Then another question arose—quieter but no less important.

“Do you want kids?” She asked on bated breath, “Because I love kids and I’ll love being a godmother, auntie, safe adult, all of that. But I don’t know if I want to be somebody’s mother. Not because I don’t think motherhood is beautiful; it is. I just…” She swallowed. “I think I’ve spent so much of my life mothering everybody else and raising myself that I don’t know if I want to build my forever around starting over with a baby,” she said, speaking her truth, hoping it wasn’t a deal breaker for Lennox.

Lennox listened without interrupting as Lane kept going because if she stopped, her fear would try to edit the truth.

“I just need to know if that’s something you need to continue building a life with me,” she finished.

“No,” he said.

Lane stared at him.

“No?” She repeated.

“No.” His voice was steady. “I don’t need children to feel like my life with you is complete,” he answered as her eyes searched his face for confirmation that matched his words.

“I’m serious,” he said, “I love kids, and I plan to spoil the twins rotten. I’ll help with programs at The Full Plate Project. I’ll be whatever kind of uncle, Godfather, or emergency snack provider they need me to be, but I don’t need us to have children to be a family,” he reassured her as Lane’s body loosened, not realizing just how rigid she’d gone.

“You sure?” She asked.

“I’m sure,” He answered, kissing her forehead. “The life I want is with you, and we get to decide what that life looks like.”

Lane closed her eyes as her heart reminded her that softness with the right person is strength. Calla’s words came back again, settling over her like a blessing.

She traced another circle over Lennox’s chest. “I went to see my Jeanette,” she shared.

“I know,” he responded, immediately adding, “Not because I’m snooping or hacking.”

“You said that fast,” Lane joked with narrowed eyes.

“Because I value my life,” he laughed. “She texted me after you left, excited that y’all had a breakthrough,” he smiled.

“She applied at The Full Plate Project,” Lane said. “I hired her part-time. She still has to interview with Marisol, but I’m excited to watch her build a life she loves.”

“Good,” he encouraged.

“I’m not pretending everything is okay or giving her the keys to my heart and hoping she doesn’t crash, but I think I’m ready to stop being angry all the time. I’m tired of carrying rage like it’s the only thing keeping me safe. I thought if I put it down, I’d be letting her off the hook, but I’m starting to think maybe I can hold her accountable without letting anger live rent-free in my body forever. I want to heal for the woman I’m becoming, for the little girl who didn’t get saved in time, for the people I feed, and for us,” she finished.

Lennox held her tighter, his eyes catching hers. She saw nothing but adoration in them. She’d never felt more loved than she did with him.

“I’m so proud of you, Baby,” he said.

“Not because you forgave her,” he continued, “Or because you hired her. I’m proud of the woman you’re continuing to blossom into. You keep choosing growth without abandoning your truth. You let the softness come closer without pretending the thorns were never necessary.”

“That was almost poetic,” Lane let out a shaky laugh.