AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her strength astounded me. She lost her job, her dance team, and me in less than 24 hours and she was bounding back stronger, wiser, and more confidant.
When I got home, I was dragging her into my studio for a proper photoshoot. One where I could pose her however I liked. And when I showed her the pictures, she would perhaps feel an ounce of the love I held for her in my heart.
I’d finally admitted it to myself.
It was time she knew as well.
Through the miracle of technology, she met my grandparents.
Yiayia waxed poetic for days over how beautiful she was. When she met Brayleigh, she lost her mind. When my cousin translated Brayleigh’s comments about my poppy seeds, she laughed until she cried.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she squeezed my arms and told me how happy she was that Sia had a sister. Something she wished she’d been able to give her own daughter.
Then she asked when I’d make Hope my bride.
The splinter of unworthiness festered beneath my skin.
It had been two weeks.
Every morning Hope sent me I love yous. I love you for the way you take care of me. I love you for the father you are to Inky. I love you for protecting Brayleigh. I love you for making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I love you for your fierce, warrior, heart. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Every night, we Facetimed. Day by day her countenance lifted as she told me about her plans for her career, and the strides she was making with her new dance troupe.
She sent me e-book recommendations, which I read. Her eyes lit up when I rated their level of ‘engagement’.
Laughing, she teased me about the surprises she had in store for me. “Don’t worry,” she assured me, her hands held out to calm me.
I hadn’t worried at all until that point.
“I have a contractor on hand to fix everything back to how it was if you don’t like it.”
My eyes bugged. “A contractor?”
Her face froze in an awkward smile, and her eyes skittered to the side as she gathered her words. “Yes. And he’s really, really hot. Old like you. You know how I like older men?” she teased. “But he’s married. So, you don’t have to worry.” Her eyes widened, and she waved her hands. “Not that you’d ever have to worry! Because you don’t.” She laughed but it sounded forced. “There’s only one old man for me!” Then she pulled out the finger guns and shot up the screen.
I grinned. Then laughed out loud when she covered her face with her hands, her wild laughter escaping with snorts and guffaws and giggles.
I reached out a finger toward the screen. Longing to touch her beautiful face.
Not a single doubt lingered in my mind. She was it for me.
And I was it for her. Just as I was Sia’s only chance to have a dad who loved her, I was Hope’s only chance Hope for the ever after she dreamed of.
It wasn’t arrogance.
She gave her heart to me.
Me.
Every other fool, and I counted myself among the fools, she let into her world failed to step up to the plate. Thank, God.
But I would not fail.
I would step up every fucking day.
She deserved better. But she made her decision.
And I rested secure in the truth that no man would love her the way I did. It would never be good enough, but I’d spend my life making it up to her.
