Page 65 of Can’t Let You Go (Ivy Ridge #3)
I look around our new house. We’ve been here for over a week now, and I’m finally starting to get settled.
It took a lot longer than we would have liked to find a place we all loved and felt like could be our home, and ironically, it’s only a mile away from Jase’s parent’s house.
It will be nice to be so close to them, as well as Marley’s parents, Jane and Gabriel.
My mom is only fifteen minutes away, and is already planning nights she can come have sleepovers and spend time with the girls.
Jason’s arms wrap around me from behind as I take in our bedroom. He let me have creative freedom over the bedroom. Of course I included him in the process, but he really let me do whatever I want.
The house is old, and still has the beautiful hardwood flooring.
I got a gorgeous rug to go in the room, and painted the walls a soft cream, giving the room some warmth, while also making it easy to match things if I ever want to switch it up.
Our bed is covered in a fluffy cream duvet and all the accent and throw pillows I could ever want, a few of them in different colors to give the room a bit of a pop.
“Presley has declared that her room is officially done,” Jason murmurs. “And my back hurts.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, turning in his arms to kiss him. “If it makes you feel any better, so does mine.”
“It does.” He bends down, groaning softly and kissing me. “I could flop down on the bed right now and fall asleep.”
I hide my grimace. “I’m all on board for you taking a nap, but… can you shower first? You’re kinda sweaty. And you still have paint all over your arms. You’ll probably leave a man-shaped stain on the bed if you climb in now.”
Jason groans. “I know I have to, but the thought of showering is exhausting.”
“You’re being a little dramatic.”
“Can you blame me? Our daughters are entering their teen stage, I swear. They kept making me rearrange things in their rooms until it was perfect, and then it wasn’t after five minutes.”
“You’re such a sucker for them. I would have made them leave it.”
“Can you blame me?” he questions with a raise of his brow. “I love them so much it hurts. I’d do anything to make them happy.”
“And that’s why you’re the best dad.” I lean onto my tip-toes to give him another kiss. I reach around and swat his ass. “Now, go take a shower. You stink.”
Jason nuzzles his sweaty forehead into my neck. I squeal and squirm, trying to get him off me. “Jason!” I cry. “You’re gross!”
“Yeah, Dad is gross!” Lennie yells from her room down the hall. It reminds me of a memory of a similar conversation so many months ago.
Presley also chimes in. “Dad, you’re gross!”
Jason freezes, and I do too. Presley has never called Jason Dad before.
Is he okay with it? Am I okay with it? It doesn’t take me more than a second to realize that yeah, I’m more than okay with it.
Jason is Presley’s dad in all the ways that matter.
Sure, we’re not married or even engaged.
We haven’t really talked about it other than knowing it will happen someday.
But knowing my daughter considers Jason a dad, her dad, is something I will always cherish.
“A-are you okay with that?” Jason tentatively asks as he pulls away from my neck. His forehead is wrinkled in concern, eyes full of worry.
“Yeah, I am,” I tell him honestly. Pulling him in for a kiss, I murmur, “If you’re okay with her calling you dad, then I am.”
He nods. “Yeah. I am. It’s right. If Lennie wants to call you mom, I would be okay with that too.”
Jason and I have talked extensively about Talia, and how there’s a chance that someday she’ll return. We’ve talked about how much we would love it if she were healthy, and could be a part of Lennie’s life.
I nod. “If she wants to, she can, but I don’t think she’s there yet.”
“I agree. Something else I wanted to mention, and the timing seems right, but we’ve talked about marriage, and what our family would look like. If you’re okay with it, I’d also like to look into adopting Presley. Formally.”
“You would do that?” I ask, my eyes welling with tears. “Really?”
“Brad would have to officially terminate his rights, which at this point, I could see him doing since he still hasn’t paid a dime of child support, back pay or otherwise, but absolutely.
I would love to be her dad, officially. I know you technically can’t adopt Lennie because of the circumstances, but I would do it. I would adopt Presley.”
“How did I get so lucky with you?” I ask.
“I think I’m the lucky one. I have the love of my life in my arms, and two beautiful little girls that I can’t wait to see grow up into incredible women.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. I can’t wait for this incredible life with you.”
I hug him, resting my face against his chest, not even caring about the sweat and grossness anymore. The best is yet to come, and I cannot wait to see how our life unfolds.