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He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure they’d already be living with you in Japan if I would’ve let them. But still, I want to make sure we’re on the same page before talking with them.”
“Okay.” I took a shaky breath. “Here’s the deal. I don’t have enough leave time to go back to the AV until my contract ends. You and the kids are always welcome to come visit during spring break or over the summer.” Though it felt like an eternity until then.
He nodded. “That was my thought. We could use the summer as a trial run. It gives me enough time to make arrangements back home and secure passports and visas.”
“What about Rex and Hedgie?” I asked, wishing we could bring them along but realizing how impractical it would be.
“Bennett agreed to keep them until we come back. However long that may be.”
I shook my head, still amazed. He’d thought through everything and made a plan for us to be together. For us to be a family.
“What?” he asked.
“I can’t believe we’re really doing this.” I practically squealed.
“Believe it, Elle.” He cupped my cheek. “I plan to give you everything you’ve ever wanted for the rest of your life.”
“You just did.” I smiled through my tears. “All I ever wanted was you. There’s nothing I need besides you and the kids.”
He kissed me quickly and with passion. “That’s all I want too.”
“So, what now?” I asked, brimming with excitement.
“How about a trip to Tokyo?”
“Tokyo?” I furrowed my brow, and then the answer dawned on me. And my eyes went wide. “Don’t tell me…” I was so excited I held my breath. There was a Disneyland in Tokyo. Did he really… Were we…
He grinned. “I once promised to take you to Disney, though I didn’t specify which one. We’re going to Disneyland Tokyo for their Christmas celebration.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “In two hours, in fact.”
“Oh my god.” I jumped into his arms, covering his face with kisses. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
He kissed me back, our bodies melding together as our hearts became indistinguishable from each other. “If this was your reaction, maybe I should’ve told you that first,” he teased.
I laughed, smoothing my hand over his face. “God, I love you.”
“I love you, Elle.” Slowly, he set me back down on the floor. “And I’m sorry I wasted so much time that we could’ve been together.”
“It wasn’t a waste,” I said, knowing we’d both needed the time apart to grow. “No more regrets, okay?” I held my hand to his cheek.
“No more regrets,” he agreed, tilting his forehead to mine.
“From now on, we honor the past but we live in the present as we look toward the future.”
“Wow.” He chuckled. “That was… Have you been taking classes on mindfulness?”
“No.” I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling the entire time. “But I have been working on loving and accepting myself more.”
“I’m glad to hear my lessons have been sinking in.” He gave my butt a gentle pat followed by a squeeze. “You’re amazing, Elle. I’ve always known it, and I’m glad you’re finally realizing it.”
“Thank you.” Unable to resist, I gave him another quick peck. “Now, we should probably focus on the future, or we’re going to miss our flight to Tokyo.”
He grinned, pulling me toward the door. “Well then, let’s go. The future is waiting.”
THIRTY-ONE
“Can we go to Lick now?” Maddox asked. “Please?”
“Soon. I actually want to talk to you guys about something first,” I said to Maddox and Savannah. “And then we’ll go get ice cream.”
