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I catch his eyes on me across the room. He doesn’t say anything, but what could he? He digs out pajama pants and a T-shirt. “Wow, I didn’t know we were trying to prove Noah right, Gramps.”
He chuckles. “We don’t have to sleep in pajamas but figured we should have them near just in case.”
“Just in case of what? A fire? If they barge in? Fill me in so I’m prepared.”
“I don’t know.” He stands, leaving the nighttime attire on the suitcase, and sits on the end of the bed. “Come here, baby.”
“Baby?”
Another shrug is released before he says, “It just felt right.”
I hurry to sit on his lap and wrap my arms around him. “I like it.”
“I like you.” His eyes fixate on my lips until his gaze lifts to mine. “I love you so much, Tuesday.”
“It’s the beer and tryptophan talking.”
I win another chuckle. “No, it’s me talking to you.” He kisses me, caressing my jaw and holding me to him. When our lips part, he says, “You fit right in.”
Love blooms inside and spreads, making my heart race to grasp this acceptance and hold on for dear life. I’ve felt his love every day since before we uttered the words, but to know he feels this way about me with his family . . . I soak it in and try to keep myself from crying.
I tuck my head to the crook of his neck, still holding him. “You have an amazing family. They express their love in humor and support. The happiness you all share . . .” What started in a revelry of praise twists inside me as my reality sets in again. The tears fall first, and then the sob I can’t contain. My hands fall to my lap when the pain tidal waves over me.
I’m wrapped in his stronghold, an embrace that won’t allow me to fall apart. Words of love whispered in my ear slow the downpour of my tears, but no amount of tenderness seems able to keep my heart from aching. He asks, “Tell me what’s wrong, baby, and I’ll fix it. I promise you. I’ll do whatever I can to make this right.”
“That’s just it. It’s not about you or money.” I finally have the strength to look into his eyes and meet the sorrow I’ve caused. “I know you would do anything for me if you could, but being here with your family reminds me that I don’t matter to anyone.”
“You matter to me. You matter more than anything else in this world to me, Tuesday.” His sweet words coat my heart like armor, making me feel stronger at the moment, but can it last? With each passing day of no new information, no missing person reports filed, the little hope I have left is replaced by this world that I’ve fallen in love with and this man who will do anything for me.
Why does it all still feel so fleeting? Like one day, I’ll wake up and lose everything that matters to me?
“I don’t want to lose you, Loch, but I have nothing to offer, not even a family.”
“You don’t need those things. You have me. I’ll be your family.”
Our gazes latch onto each other’s as the moon shines on us, for us. I kiss him until his lips part, and our tongues begin an erotic dance. I kiss him until he pulls me into his arms, and we tumble into bed.
I don’t know if I could love him more, but I plan to do my damnedest.
We make love, slow and steady with adoration, and then fast with passion before we know what hit us. It’s the way we fell in love and how our story will always be told.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Delta says as we walk to the car the next morning. “Port said you love art as much as I do. I’d love to visit a museum with you the next time I’m in the city.”
We’ve already said goodbye several times, but like her, I’m sad our trip is already ending. “I’d love that. Just let me know when.”
We hug once more, then she gives Loch a big hug. “Take care of each other.”
He says, “We will. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
We climb into the Escalade, getting a later start than we wanted. Harbor and Lark left just after sunrise because she has a shift today, but we’re racing a storm headed toward the city by midday. The meeting with his dad ran longer than expected this morning. Loch says we need to hurry to get home.
Home.
I love that we have a home together. I decided I wouldn’t live in the unknown anymore and brushed the negative thoughts away. Living this life with Loch is all I need to be happy. So I’m choosing him instead.
