Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Melly said some things that resonated with me,” she said.
“Like what?” He braced his hands on her hips, holding her in place and just, well, holding her.
“We talked about the choices she had to make when Linc found me in Florida, and how she knew people would talk about her taking in her husband’s mistress’s pregnant child. And oh, they did talk,” she said, shaking her head.
“You heard things?” He tightened his grip on her waist, feeling protective on her behalf.
She nodded. “I never told Melly. I didn’t think I should say anything to make her feel bad. I knew how fortunate I was—she gave me a home. But Melly told me that she feels like she was the lucky one, that she got so much more than anyone else could understand.”
Her eyes filled, and Nick tightened his hold on her. He’d do anything to take away her pain. He couldn’t change the past but he could make sure her future was a happy one. And he was hoping this talk would lead to just that. He held his breath as he listened.
“She surprised me so much.” She swiped under her eyes. “I already knew Melly thinks of Leah as her granddaughter, but I guess I’d never quite grasped that she also considers me her daughter.”
That lump rose in his throat all over again.
“She’s the only mom I’ve ever known,” Aurora admitted, her voice strained.
Nick rubbed her back in calming circles, offering comfort…and noticing she wasn’t wearing a bra.
He cleared his throat. “Melly’s special and I told her that earlier today.”
Aurora blinked. “You did?”
“Baby, you’re surrounded by people who are here. People who aren’t going anywhere. You just need to reach out and take what everyone is offering. What I’m offering.”
She visibly swallowed. “About that. About us…”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smoothed a hand over the long strands.
“Melly asked me, point blank, if I could imagine my life and future without you in it, knowing you’d be there for Leah regardless,” Aurora said. “She asked me if I was willing to risk my future because the people in my past let me down.”
He knew he damn well didn’t want to imagine his life without Aurora in it. And as more than just his daughter’s mother.
He opened his mouth but she placed her finger over his lips.
His hand stilled on her back and he met her gaze. “So what’s the answer?”
She placed her hands on either side of his face. “Like I said, I love you, Nick. There is no future for me without you in it. Not one that I want to imagine, anyway. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to have a hard time adjusting. I’m going to have to learn how to get over my abandonment issues. But I’m not sure it’s fair to ask you to put up with me as I do it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “How about you let me decide what’s fair where I’m concerned?” He already knew he’d do anything for Aurora and Leah. “If it helps, Asher and I talked about me hiring someone to handle some of the travel.”
She shook her head. “That’s not what I want. Changing how you live, your job, what you do? No. I’m going to work on my issues. I just need to know you’ll stick by me while I do.”
He smiled wide. “Just try to get rid of me. And as for cutting down on travel, I think it’s still a good idea.”
Her eyes gleamed with happiness at his reply. She twisted her body to face him, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“A part of me just wants to make you happy and ease your burdens, but the truth is, not being here when Leah was sick? That was an experience I’d rather not repeat. I’ve lost so much time with you both already. I don’t want to miss any more.”
“I understand that.” She smoothed his cheek with her hand, her eyes twinkling with a lightness he was thrilled to see. “But I want you to know that if you need to go out of town, or you change your mind and want to go back to the way things are now, I’m not going anywhere. I want to work on myself so I’m a better mother to Leah, a better partner for you and a stronger woman for myself.”
“I promise you, we’ll make decisions as a team, okay?” he said. “I love the person you are now. If you want to make some changes because you need them, I support you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re already one strong woman and an amazing role model to our daughter.”
“Yeah?” She rubbed her finger over his lips, her eyes dilating with need.
“Definitely. Anything else on the table for discussion? Or can I kiss you without interruption?”