Page 105 of Beach Cottage Kisses

He already knew that.

“That’s what I can trust,” she said. “And what I want to give to you. That bone-deep knowing that as long as I’m alive, I’ll endure whatever pain comes my way in order to keep loving you.”

His chin quivered, but he still didn’t move. “You’re telling me you believe in love?”

Crying again, Iris smiled, too. “You deserve your pound of flesh, counselor,” she said in a voice that wavered almost beyond comprehension. And then, with a deep, calming breath said, “I love you, Scott Martin, and if you’ll have me, knowing that I get weird sometimes, and that I will probably always struggle with bouts of fear, I would like to marry you and have kids with you.”

The words rushed out through a wall of fear.

But once they were out, as she watched Scott stand up straight, saw his arms reaching for her, she had no anxiety at all.

No heaviness, no dread, no shards darting through her. She saw light, the light in Scott’s eyes, and felt warmth, the warmth of his embrace, and knew that her answers had been right there, waiting for her all along.

Bad things happened. Life hurt sometimes.

But love really did have the ability to heal even the worst tragedies.

The human heart was capable.

It was just up to individuals to let it happen.

When Scott picked Iris up, kicking the door closed behind the girls as they trotted in, she held on to his neck, eager for the ride.

Knowing that she would have his love with her for every minute of the rest of eternity. Whether he was in bed with her, inside her, at work, or gone farther away, the love that was engulfing them would never leave her wholly alone.

Their lovemaking that night was rushed, almost desperate, and then, softer, sweeter. And when she finally lay down to rest, her head on Scott’s chest, Iris sighed.

“You’re my first and my always,” she whispered in the darkness.

“And you are mine,” he whispered back, the words following her into a peaceful rest that had been eluding her for years.

She woke once in the night. Lay there with her head next to Scott’s watching him sleep, thought about what she’d do if she ever lost him and swore that he smiled a little.

Because she was who she was. She’d experienced a trauma that would always be a part of her. And love was what it was. She could fear. But love would win.

With a smile of her own, Iris promised herself, and Scott, that she would never hide again.

And knew that if she did, Scott would always find her.

Always.

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