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He shakes his head, and I nod, leaning my head back as I move my hand to his jaw, gently rubbing my thumb over his stubble. This sends tingles through me, and I whisper, "I know, but it's the hurt I need to feel in order to heal, for us to move forward and, hopefully, be stronger."
He smiles at me as he leans forward, gently caresses my lips, and whispers,"We are stronger, baby.We'rehere after a year of lies, secrets, and hurt. We're fighting for each other instead of running away."
I nod, my tears falling as his lips press down on mine. He gives me a soft kiss, making my belly flutter.
"And stop beating yourself up over my wound,"he rasps against my lips, and I smile.
I love how he can read me; some days, I hate it, especially when I want to be mysterious, but then I remember who I'm with, who I gave my heart to at the tender age of twelve. I don't need to be mysterious; this man loves me for who I am, and he always has.
I smile and kiss him again, gripping his jaw. I love our closeness, love that he knew I was going to be here, and love that he remembered our daughter's birthday.
This man has stolen my heart, and I never want it back. Yes, hurt is between us, but so is desire, passion, and all-consuming love, and they override the hurt and pain. They pull us toward the light.
He fought for me when I gave up on us, so now, I'm finally fighting for us, too.
He breaks the kiss first before gently rubbing his nose down my neck. I smile as I move my hand to his opened button-down shirt, slowly playing with the buttons as my eyes catch a bandage on his chest, underneath his white tank.
I pull back with worry, my hand moving his tank out of the way, and he chuckles.
I shake my head. "It's not funny, Lucas. You’re hurt?"
He smirks and shakes his head, before slowly moving the white bandage. My eyes widen, seeing new ink on his chest.
Layla
"You…."I'mspeechless as he places the bandage back over his fresh tattoo, cups my jaw, andkisses me on the lips, then my cheek, nose, forehead, and neck, making me melt.
"I got her name, and when we have more kids, which we will, their names will go underneath their big sister’s,"he whispers as he caresses my lips again.
I grip his cut and press my lips harder against his, then pointed out, "You're not supposed to be putting strain on your body."
He grins then reminds me, "And yet that didn't stop you riding me last night,"making me chuckle. My cheeks feel hot with a blush before he kisses me again, his lips molding to mine where they belong.
Very slowly, he breaks the kiss, gently kisses my nose, and then leans back against our daughter's headstone, pulling me with him as he lifts his face to the sky. I melt into him, closing my eyes as we hear the birds chirp, and feel the sunshine down on us, peace washing over me.
It's only then I realize…I'm happy.
He gently runs his fingers through my hair and whispers, "What's on your mind, my Pixie?"
I smile, my tears building again as I whisper back,"That I'm finally happy, and feel at peace despite all the hurt and pain. Despite what I nearly did last year, I'm happy, Lucas. You're my happy place, my home."
His hold tightens on me. "We're going to be okay, baby. I promise."
I nod, putting my nose back into the crook of his neck. We sit with our daughter on her birthday, and I feel at home in his arms.
I know we will be okay, because everything is right in my world when he holds me.
28
Doc – A Few Days Later
I look at the time, and curse. I should have left for the hospital twenty minutes ago, but my girl decided I needed a little more time in bed, and getting up at four in the morning was not okay with her.
I shake my head as I button my white shirt.
She set my alarm for five thirty, and it's now six ten. She left for work at five this morning, leaving me a note that she got called in with an emergency in the ER. Paul refused to let her skills slip while working in the NICU, and demanded I take it easy.
I smirk, my eyes going to the picture of us on the nightstand from a few weeks ago. She's lying sideways on my lap in the common room, her face in my neck, my nose on the top of her head…. Fuck, I love that girl.
