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“And what if I can’t?”
“I need you to try. Please. Do it for my kids.”
She pulled away from my touch. “That’s not fair.”
“They deserve to have you in their lives.”
“They do—”
“Permanently.”
She gasped as my thumb pulled on her bottom lip.
“I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you. Even when you hated having me around, they were still the best moments in my life. You made me laugh, smile, feel like I was living again. You make me want to be a better father for my children and a better man … for you.”
“Caleb—”
“You know that, don’t you? The affect you’ve always had on me? From your eyes, to your words, to the way you are with my kids. You’re my family, Evie. You’ve always been my family. You fill this void I didn’t know I had in my life until I met you. There’s no coming back from you, Evie. I’ve tried.”
I was a man of a few words. Yet there I was, laying it all out for her.
Word by word.
Sentence by sentence.
Making my thoughts and emotions known for the first time.
“I plan to have you all to myself today. Just you and me. Now tell me you want that too…”
“Do people always do what you want?”
“Yes, you should try it sometime.”
She smiled, and it lit up her entire face.
“I can’t think when you’re this close to me.”
“Then I’ll make sure to stay close to you all day.”
She backed away, reaching for her purse. “Okay, Mr. Hawkins, let’s see this amazing day you have planned for my birthday.”
In two strides, I grabbed her hand and led her off the yacht where there was another boat waiting for us. The day started with sightseeing and exploring the town where Evie was amazed by all the small shops. She tried to buy a couple of things for herself, Ethan and Ariel, but I paid for them instead.
For the first time since she came back into my life, she finally allowed herself to enjoy my company.
We laughed.
Joked.
Talked about nothing and everything.
Except for what I really wanted her to know which would come later tonight.
The day couldn’t have been better. I loved every second with her, remembering how truly easy it was for us to hang out. Our banter flowed loosely, effortlessly like always. The day quickly turned to night, and I had the crew cook up a spread for her birthday.
I made her close her eyes before she saw what I prepared for her. We were on the top deck of the boat that picked up us to take us to town. I wanted complete privacy, knowing we wouldn’t get that with my kids around. If these last couple of days proved anything to me, it was how much they were glued to her side.
I couldn’t blame them. Evie was even easier to love.
