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I look back down at the gown in front of me, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I feel so much better knowing what I'm going home to. My time over here has been amazing, life-changing even, but knowing I'm going home to Heath makes it all the better. I'm so torn, though; he shouldn’t be doing this for us, giving up the music career the four of them have worked so hard for, it's not right. I can't ask him to. Even though, as soon as the words left his lips, it was everything I have been waiting to hear. A chance for something normal for all of us. But I can't ask him to do give it all up for us… can I?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
HEATH
Ameliacalledmeminutesafter our broadcast aired. She was teary and kept telling me I shouldn't do it for her. She never wanted me to give anything up for her, I know that. This I did for us because it was what I wanted. That life doesn't have the same shine to it anymore, but a real life with her and the kids, that is what my dreams are made of these days.
Her fashion show was yesterday, and the three of them flew in this afternoon. I couldn't wait another minute to see them, so I'm back on her doorstep waiting for her door to be opened by one of them so I can see my three favorite people in the world.
"Heath!" Ruby squeals, jumping into my arms. I spin around and hug her into me. I have missed this cheeky little rascal and her cute blonde curls.
Connor is close behind and stands awkwardly by the door. "Hey, bud," I say, not sure if I should offer him a hug or not.
"Hey." He offers me one of his little smiles.
Then I see her, and it's like the first time all over again. She is so beautiful, the late-afternoon sun kissing her hair and creating a halo around her. I have to blink twice so I know she is really standing there in front of me. I know she said yesterday that we would talk when she got home, but I can't talk. I need more than talking. I put Ruby down and close the gap between us, needing my hands on her.
"Heath," she says, breathless as I wrap my arms around her and pull her in for a quick kiss.
I take her hands in mine and stare at her, so happy to see her again. We stand just like this for a little while, and she snuggles in, letting me hold her. The kids have closed the front door and are now looking at the two of us like we’re crazy.
"I missed you guys," I tell them, trying to find an explanation for the way my eyes are blurry and I'm holding their mother like my life depends on it. Part of me thought maybe I wouldn't see her again, that maybe she would love it so much in Paris she wouldn't come home. And it scared the shit out of me.
"We missed you too." She smiles back at me, her eyes just as glassy. "Come on, I got Chinese takeout for dinner. Let's eat while it's still hot," she tells the kids, and they rush toward the kitchen, trying to be first.
While we eat dinner, the three of them fill me in on their trip. Even Connor has a couple of stories to tell when Ruby stops to take a breath or shovel some fried rice in her mouth. It's so normal, and every little bit about it makes me smile from ear to ear. I have missed this.
Once we finished dinner, the kids go get ready for bed, tired after their long flight, and I help Amelia in the kitchen. "I put my place on the market," I tell her, watching her face for her reaction.
She tilts her head to look at me, her lips turning into a slow smile, like she is happy with the idea.
"I need to get out of LA," I tell her, wondering what she's thinking.
She drops a detergent tablet in the dishwasher and turns it on, then comes to stand right in front of me. "I can understand that, and now that you're not recording anymore, not much point in staying there, I guess. So where are you going to stay?" she asks cheekily.
"With my family,” I tell her, my eyes locking with hers so she knows how deadly serious I am. "I want to take care of you guys, while you concentrate on your career, and maybe I'll do some guitar lessons for the local kids or something if I get bored. But the most important thing to me is that I'm here with you and the kids." I reach out for her, pulling her toward me.
She looks up at me, her pretty blue eyes so much happier than when I saw them last. "I like the sound of that," she says, standing on her toes and reaching her arms around my neck, kissing me with everything she has. I kiss her back with as much desperation.
I cup her face, needing to know she is as much on board with all of this as me but not wanting to let her get too far away. "So, you'll have me?"
"Heath, you have given up so much for us. I only hope you won't regret all of this one day."
"The only regret I have is ever walking away from you in the first place. This is what I want. You are all I want. And knowing I get to be here with the three of you will make me the happiest man on the planet." I pull her back toward me, taking her mouth with my own and showing her just how much she means to me. My hands skim over her dress, feeling her tight little body underneath. "And as soon as the kids are in bed, I'm showing you just how much I missed you," I growl into the side of her neck, and she lets out a breathy moan.
Her hands roam up under my shirt, and she digs her nails into my back, pulling me closer into her. “I look forward to that.”
AMELIA
I kiss Dad’s cheek, and he offers me a warm bear hug. "Mom said you wanted to see me? She's spoiling the kids because she hasn't seen them for three weeks, so I'd say we have a while to catch up."
He looks to the door like he would like me to close it, so I do, then he motions for me to take a seat across from him and relaxes back in his leather desk chair. If you ask me, he is ageing far quicker than a man who spends all his time pottering around his office and taking care of his hobby farm should. "You look happy. How was Paris?"
"Amazing, I love it there. I was inspired everywhere I went, and this collection I created with Julian is my best work to date. I can't wait for you and Mom to see it when it hits the stores."
"It makes me very happy to hear you’re so content, my darling. Your passion for your work is commendable." He gives me a tight smile. Something about him is different today, off somehow, and I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but he seems stressed.
"I'm making the most of my talents, like you always said. Hard work and determination really do pay off. You should have seen this place, Dad. The design studio was five times the size of mine, with a team of people working in every area. It was incredible. I will certainly make an effort to get back there as often as I can."
