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He stopped on the porch, the sky darkening with each minute that passed. “When I toured this house, the owner wanted a renter who would be interested in purchasing it down the road. I wasn’t ready to buy anything. The thought scared the shit out of me, honestly. I hadn’t held on to anything permanent in a long time. Maybe ever.”
He took my hands on both of his, turning me to face him. “It’s the perfect house. It has five bedrooms and a little sitting room off the master. You’ve already seen the backyard. It’s a virtual playground for kids.”
“Nick, what are you saying?” Was he staying in town or not? The suspense was making my stomach twist into knots.
“I talked to a realtor in town about buying it. The owner is still interested in selling.”
“You’re staying?” I asked finally, the knots slowly unraveled as a smile covered Nick’s face.
“I talked to Austin. He’s going to give up the other people involved. He assured me he won’t be doing any more interviews. He saw how it was affecting Brody.”
“I’m so happy for you two.”
“I talked to an attorney about getting custody. I have a good chance since Austin’s behind bars.”
“Good for you.” I was so proud of him. He was finally living his life on his own terms. I just hoped the baby and me fit somewhere in his plans.
“That’s not all. I love you. I want you to live here with me. I want us to be a family—Hunter, Brody, you, me, and the baby.”
I could see the vision so easily. The boys playing in the backyard while Nick cradled the baby. My baby’s father would be in his or her life. Elation filled me at the thought. I felt settled. We were home.
I shook my head. “I don’t know what to say. I thought you were going to tell me you were moving.”
Nick dropped my hands and stepped closer. “You clearly haven’t been listening.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I’m trying. I’m letting go of the past, and I want to move forward with you without the limitations I placed on myself.”
He brushed a hair out of my face, the move so tender, I tilted my cheek into his palm. “I want the same.”
Then he slid to one knee, holding my hand in his. “Abby, will you move in with Brody and me? Will you be part of my family?”
“I need to talk to Hunter, but I have a feeling he’ll say yes.” The tears fell freely now, obscuring my vision.
“I wanted to show you that I love you. I’m here to stay. And you’re my future.”
I laughed through my tears. “So you bought a house.”
He pulled out a box he must have had in his pocket. “And a ring.”
My lips parted on a gasp. My hand flying to my mouth. “Is that—” I couldn’t form the words. It was difficult to draw in a breath, much less put the words in a sentence.
“Abby, will you marry me? Will you be my wife? My future? The love of my life?”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
“I’ve been living my life based on someone else’s terms, but that ends now. I live it on my own now. I love you. I want to be with you.”
“I want those things too.”
“Will you marry me?” he asked, his expression still a little uncertain. I sensed he needed me to say yes specifically to that question.
“I’d love to.” He slipped a cool band on my finger, the diamond sparkling with the lights on the porch, then stood, crushing my lips to his. My fingers tangled in the hair at the base of his neck. His body, hard and solid, pressed against mine. I’d never get enough of him. Our future stretched out before us, with endless possibilities. But the one thing I knew I could count on was that Nick would be there. Not just for the pregnancy, but for everything.
I knew that with every fiber of my being. The man was it for me. He wasn’t leaving. I could count on him. “I love you,” I said between kisses.
“Not as much as I love you.” Then he lifted me bridal style, kicking open the door and shutting it behind us. He carried me up the stairs to his room and laid me down on his king bed. I’d never been there, but I didn’t even have a chance to look around before he was hovering over me, his mouth on mine.
I loved him with everything I had. I believed in him. Supported him. And I knew he’d do the same. We couldn’t stop saying we loved each other. It was as if we almost couldn’t believe that was our reality.
