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“Tell me why we can’t stay in bed all day long again?”
Ali turns her head a little, pressing her cheek to my chest.
“Aria will be up from her nap soon. We already owe Landon so much for looking after her this morning,” she says, and there’s something in her tone that gets my hackles up.
Is she already regretting what happened? Was the connection we shared this morning all a lie?
“What’s wrong?” I ask, turning her to face me.
I can’t deal with a lack of communication. I’ve vowed to be completely honest with her, and in doing that, I expect the same from her.
Her gaze darts away, some form of shame or regret clouding her pretty brown eyes.
“S-something happened while you were gone.” Her tears begin to flow now, and I find myself staring at the rivers of sorrow flowing down her cheeks.
My heart clenches, imagining the worst. Did something happen between her and Landon? As much as I love this woman, I know I’m still being selfish. He’s a better fit for her, and I’ve thought that more than once. Me holding on to her is selfish, and I thought I had come to terms with that as well, but if he’s who she wants, what can I do?
I shake my head, rejecting that thought. She wouldn’t do that, and if I know anything about the way the kids at Cerberus are raised, I know deep down that Landon wouldn’t cross that line either. My heart pounds in my chest, my pulse increasing as she stands in my arms, trying to gain the courage to tell me whatever it is that’s causing her so much pain.
“It’s about Aria,” she whispers, and my chest begins to ache.
I heard her crying this morning, and Landon went to take care of her, so what she has to say can’t be the worst news ever. I suddenly feel guilty for going to Ali first instead of checking on my little girl. I blame my meetings with Dr. Alverez. She’s been working with me on controlling my racing thoughts, on not jumping to the worst conclusion when faced with a difficult situation.
“What, Ali? What happened to my little girl?”
“It’s nothing like that,” she says, her hand pressing to my chest. “She… umm. She called me momma.”
A laugh of relief bubbles out of my mouth, and she takes a step back. I must look maniacal right now, and she doesn’t know how to take it.
“That’s what you’re so scared to tell me?” I ask, cupping her cheek and urging her eyes to mine. “Oh, baby. Please don’t cry.”
“You were so angry when you walked in that time when I was showing her pictures of Lana.”
She tries to pull her face away, but I don’t allow it. Two things hit me at that exact moment. One, my heart doesn’t threaten to stop beating at the mention of my late wife’s name, and two, I realize I have a lot of making up to do with Ali for all the times I was so mean to her.
“Aria needs a mother, and if you’re okay with it, I can’t imagine a better person for the job.”
I thought my response would make her smile, but she only cries harder, pressing her face into my t-shirt.
I hold her against me, reluctant to ever let her go as she sobs.
When her tears start to ebb, I take a half a step back so I can look into her eyes.
“Maybe I need to get clarification so there’s no confusion. Aria and I are a package deal. I need you to love her as much as you love me.”
She nods quickly. “I already do.”
“This isn’t a temporary thing,” I continue, needing her to fully understand what she’s signing up for. “If we’re together, you need to treat her like your own.”
“I will,” she says. “I already do.”
“Then her calling you momma is good news.”
She gives me a weak smile, and I just have to kiss her. There’s nothing more important right now than this moment. It’s the culmination of so many fears and regrets washing away with the brush of two sets of lips.
I mean for the kiss to be sweet and gentle, but as things always go with Ali, she makes that little gasping noise, and I turn into an animal.
One second, we’re sealing our promises with a gentle kiss, and the next, she’s in my arms with her legs wrapped around me.
“Coffee and a show? Two tickets please.”
I pull back from her mouth at the sound of Landon’s voice, scowling at the man for ruining our moment. But unlike when my parents interrupted that one day, I know I’ll have so many more chances to do this with Ali. God willing, we’ll have a lifetime, and if we don’t, I’ll take my good fortune until it runs out.
