Page 130 of Promise

“This is home, Trin.” He points at the floor. “You and Mirabelle are home. You’re all I need. All I’ve ever wanted.”

He swallows thickly, licking his lips. “I know we haven’t talked about it. Not directly, but I want to be Mirabelle’s dad. I didn’t bring it up before because the adoption felt fragile. Unreal until it was real. But with Marissa coming to visit you and Max’s return, I just want it settled. I want you to know where I stand. What I really want. I want her as mine too.”

“Dart.” His name is tremulous and wet, matching the tears that don’t seem to stop flowing.

He pinches the corners of his eyes. “I’ve been eternally grateful for the second chance you gave me, Trinity. Forever grateful. So, don’t ever run off on me again. Okay? Don’t shut me out. Please.”

His voice cracks, and I lunge for him, erasing the distance between us and clinging to him. His arms circle around me, binding me to him as well.

“I love you so much, Trinity,” he chokes again.

“I love you, too, baby.” I pull back and kiss him.

Through the salt on our lips and the blur in our eyes, we kiss like we can’t get close enough.

Dart pulls back first, setting his forehead against mine again. “Thank you.” He whispers. “Thank you so much, Trin.”

I stroke my fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

“Are you wearing my shirt?” he suddenly asks, breaking the tearful tension. “You know how I feel about you wearing my stuff.”

I do know how he feels, and I know how I feel putting on his things.

Like he’s mine.

“Now.” He pulls back, still looking at his shirt draping over my body. “Speaking of speed, let’s see how fast I can get you out of those clothes.”

I chuckle despite my wet cheeks. “Dart Rivers, you are so ridiculous.”

“And that’s why you love me?”

He kisses my cheek. Then the other cheek.

“One of many reasons,” I admit as he moves to my neck.

“Hey, Trin,” he whispers.

“Yeah?” I swallow as he moves toward the spot that will bring me to my knees.

“Honey.” He whispers against the juncture of my neck and shoulder. “I’m home.”

Then he nips me, and as my knees go weak, he scoops me up, taking me to our bedroom, where we can celebrate that he’s home.

Forever.

37

[Trinity]

“Are you nervous?” Dart asks me the morning of adoption day. We have a set time at the court.

“Very.” I sigh, giving my hair one last scrunch as I look at myself in the mirror.

Do I look like a mother? Is that something you can tell by looking at someone? Is there a scent that other mothers recognize? The tired gleam in my eyes? The weight of the world on my shoulders while my heart is so full of love? Is it a badge? A handshake?

Do I really have what it takes?

“What are you thinking?” he says, as he stands behind me in the bathroom.