Page 103 of Nothing to This

Smooth, yet genuine.“We almost lost our little girl.”

“Siren—”

“Let me finish.”

“I’m afraid if we get caught up in each other that the kids will suffer.But I’m also afraid if we don’t see this through, we’ll always live in wonder.Be each other’s ‘the one who got away.’Are we going to turn around in ten years or twenty, at Sky’s graduation or Kye’s wedding, and still not have the answer to the question?”

“You know my stance.You know what I want.”

“I never want to go through what we did with Sky again.Yes, it’s made me more aware of how precious they are and how we have to keep them safe.It also skews perspective.We get caught up in the BS drama of life and fail to see what’s important.”

“The kids have always been important to you.”

“I’m not just talking about the kids.”She licked her lips and shifted to a more comfortable position.“Sky asked tonight why we weren’t married.”

He laughed.“That’s our girl, straight to the heart of the matter.”

“She’s never shy.”

“What did you say?”

“Just that we never did.They want you to stay here, at home, with us, always.”

“That’s what I want too.”

And she was the only holdout.

“What if it works?”she murmured.“What if we try the relationship thing and it works out?”

He squinted.“I fail to see the problem.”

“What have we been doing for the last five years?If we’re meant to be together, why the fuck have we wasted all this time?”

“Only remedy to that is not to waste more.You said the night we met we’d have to see how this played out and the movie isn’t over yet.”

So long as they had kids, the movie wouldn’t be over.“And you said that same night you’re not the kind of guy to move on or be dissuaded.Are you sure you want this?Have you really thought about what it will mean to take on a relationship and fatherhood on a permanent basis?You can’t just do whatever you want anymore, you’ll be answerable to me and the kids.You’ll have to factor us into your plans, discuss and debate rather than just suit yourself.”

“Someone once told me they wanted their own slice of the world.Their own little corner.Somewhere safe and happy.At the time, the notion passed me by.I didn’t get it.Now I know where my corner is, my slice, and I want to share it with you and our children.”

“And if the twins are it?If I don’t want to have more children?”

“We’ll talk about that,” he said.“Together.I wouldn’t walk away from you if that was your decision, I can tell you that.”Which was a lot given he’d walked away from Gabby for that reason.“But I would expect you to hear me, to give my perspective a fair hearing.”

“We’d be equals, in everything.I won’t defer to you.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to defer; we have met.I want to be the one who props you up, Siren.You’ve done that for me for five years without either of us realizing it.It’s your work with the kids, your willingness to let them build relationships with my family that has ensured my connections with them.I’m sorry you went through so much alone, babe.”

“I wasn’t alone.My babies got me through every day, and you’re as responsible as me for their existence.”

Quiet settled over them.Not uncomfortable, just joint appreciation for their positions.

“My norm is deciding and going with my gut.Yours is to be practical.I expected this.Once I thought about it, made my decision, I knew you wouldn’t give into me on impulse.”

“Again.You knew I wouldn’t give into you on impulse again.”They shared a smile.“If I was a believer in destiny…”

“You’d say the kids forced us together.I don’t want it to be that way, Ry.This is about us.You and me.The kids are fine.Our relationships with them are not in question.It started with us, baby…”

Would it end with them or simply end them?JD.Hers?Could she give herself to him in return?