AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I walk over to Autumn and lace my fingers with hers. “C’mon, scarlet.” She slides off the stool and I lead us to the second bedroom. When I open the door and flip on the light, Autumn gasps and lifts her free hand to her mouth.
“Jonas…” she mumbles.
“Clementine.” I squat down and look her in the eye. “This room is for you when you’re here. Decorate it however you like. Hang out in here with Spartan. Whatever you want. This is your space.”
Her little jaw drops as her eyes widen. “Really?” she asks in disbelief. I nod. She squeals and lunges forward, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Thank you, Mr. Jonas.”
She releases the hug and I stand up. “You’re welcome. Hope you like it.”
She spins around and stares at the oak-framed twin bed. A khaki comforter with a punk version of Alice fromAlice in Wonderlanddrapes the mattress. Two matching decorative pillows rest against normal bed pillows. On the floor, a shaggy five-by-seven red rug adds a pop of color to the room. The room still needs more work, but for now, it will do.
“I love it,” she exclaims, running and hopping on the bed. “C’mon, Sparty.” She pats the bed beside her and he jumps up.
My work here is done.
Autumn and I leave the room and return to the kitchen. She parks on a stool while I check the last of the food cooking.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” Autumn whispers.
I take what is left in the oven out and set it on trivets before facing her. “Yeah, I did.” I circle the bar and step into her. “You and Clementine deserve to be doted on.” Leaning down, I kiss her. “And I’m not done yet.”
Once dinner is plated up, we call for Clementine. I have a sneaking suspicion we won’t see much of her or Spartan, now that Clementine has her own space. While eating, we discuss what movie we should watch tonight. Being Valentine’s Day, Clementine suggests a love movie. I laugh at her exaggeration of vowels in the word love.
While I clean up dishes and assemble dessert, I tell my girls to find us alovemovie to watch. I tote dessert out to the living room and receive oohs and awes from Clementine when she spots my mom’s version of chocolate-dipped strawberry shortcake—aka strawberry shortcake with chocolate drizzle. But before either of them reaches for their plates, I hold up my hand.
“Another present. Then dessert.” Surprisingly, neither of them says a word. Hands folded in their laps, both smile and bat their lashes. “Actually…” I point to Autumn. “I have two more for you.”
I take two velvet bags from my pocket and a small box. Autumn follows every move I make as she tucks her lips between her teeth. I hand the satchel tied with a red ribbon to Clementine. She opens it up and plucks out the silver link chain with a heart charm in the center.
“Look how pretty this is, Mama.” Clementine holds up the necklace for Autumn to see. Autumn nods before tipping her head back and blinking rapidly. “Open your presents.”
Autumn levels her gaze with mine. “You really didn’t have to.”
I cup her cheek and nod. “Both of you deserve nothing less.”
She clamps down harder on her lips, then swallows. I tip my head at her gifts and she opens them. Inside her satchel is a matching necklace. The linked chain matches a charm bracelet I spotted on her wrist a time or two. I help them both don the necklaces before Autumn opens the final gift. The one I worry over more than the rest.
With trembling fingers, she peels back the paper and removes the lid. The second she sees the key inside the box, she grabs my wrist. Tears flood her eyes and spill down her cheeks.
“I’m not suggesting anything you may or may not be ready for. But I want you to have a key. In case you need to be here when I’m not. Or just to let yourself in. But Autumn…” I wait until she looks up at me. “There is no pressure. Please don’t think I’m pressing you to move in. Not that I wouldn’t love to have you both here every day.”
She gingerly sets the key back in the box and replaces the lid. Leaning forward, she places it on the table without a word. Then she whirls around and hops in my lap, peppering me with kisses. I wrap my arm around her waist and haul her closer.
“Guess this means you’re okay with having a key,” I joke.
“Best gift ever.” She crushes her lips to mine until Clementine pipes up and asks if we can eat dessert yet.
And just like that, life is perfect. Autumn and I scarf down dessert so we can touch and kiss and do anything except watch the movie. When Clementine passes out, I carry her to bed and we tuck her in. Spartan jumps up and lays at the foot, guarding her.
As we walk out, I leave the door cracked. Weaving my fingers with Autumn’s, I guide us down the hall to the bedroom.Our room.
The moment our door closes, I step into Autumn. Frame her face in my hands. Kiss her without reservation. Her fingers trace up my biceps, along my clavicles, winding up my neck and into my hair.
Without hurry, we strip away our clothes. I guide her onto the bed and crawl up until her cognacs line up with my hazels. Sweeping the hair from her face, I press my lips to hers.
Today has been a whirlwind of adoration. Every glimpse, every touch, every kiss, every word. All of it swirls together in kaleidoscope fashion. A pattern of me and Autumn and Clementine. A life full of exhilaration and laughter and love. One I don’t want to live without.
My heart gallops into a full sprint as my breathing spikes. Autumn reaches up, traces her fingers from my temple to my chin. I close my eyes and absorb the tingle she ignites under my skin. The burn that never fades away. The fire she blazes beneath my sternum.
