Page 131 of As the Years Pass

“I want you to move in with me.”

“What?” I bark.

He steps closer, his hands going to my hips. He looks me right in the eyes. “Move in with me. Get rid of this cramped apartment. Take all of your stuff and the kids stuff and move into my place. It’s empty and sad, and I want you to bring all the happiness that’s here, to my house. With me.”

I look around my apartment. “You think there’s happiness here?”

“Look at the fridge.” I do. There are drawings from the kids and silly photos we’ve taken together. He takes my hand and leads me to Judy’s room. “Look how bright it is in here.”

She has pink and purple everything. Her bed sheets, curtains, rugs… all of it is bright.

“And Ian’s?” he says, pulling me that way.

“Ian’s room is a mess.”

“His happiness is all over the floor, Adam.” I spot the cars and his Bluey toys. His pillow and blanket are still on the floor too.

“This is what happiness is to me,” he says. “Life. Memories. The kids. You. All of this, it’s exactly what I want. My house is big enough. And you approved of it.”

“Well, yeah, but it is so close to that neighbor.”

He chuckles. “I’ll buy thicker curtains.”

I chew on my lip as I look around again, wondering if it’s a good idea.

I bring my gaze back to his. “Are you sure about this?”

He raises a brow. “Are you really asking me that?”

I huff out a laugh. Then take a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

“Seriously?” he asks tentatively.

“Yep. Let’s do it.”

He lets out a sound of excitement, then hugs me so hard all the air leaves my lungs.

“Can we tell the kids tomorrow?” he asks.

“Why the hell not?”

Emmet kisses me hard on the lips, then kisses my cheek and my neck, all the while holding me tight.

It’s clear this has made him happy, and that makes me happy too.

The best part is, the thought of it doesn’t scare the shit out of me.

In fact, it all feels so right.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Emmet

Three months later…

“Thank you so much for all your help, Emmet.”

My father gives me a bright but tired smile.