“Then why now?”
“I don’t know. I want you to know how miserable I am for hurting you. I wish my words, even if they don’t fix anything, could soothe your wounds. I can’t undo what I’ve done, but I want you to know I am sorry, and I want a chance to make up for it.”
“Hmm.” She nodded thoughtfully and glanced down at the hand she had pressed against his heart.
He followed her gaze, and his eyes fell on her rounded belly. Guilt twisted like a knife in his chest. “God, Aubrey. I had no idea. I should’ve been there for you. I didn’t know until I opened the bottle.”
“Even if you knew, I wouldn’t have wanted you to stay with me because of the baby.”
“No. It’s you I want. I’ll always want you. I’m ecstatic about our baby, butyouare my life.” Unable to hold back, he cupped her smooth cheek in his hand. “Having a baby with you is icing on the cake. When I found out you were pregnant, I realized I’d been dreaming of having a family with you.”
Her shoulders rose and fell as she breathed deeply through her nose, and then she reached for his shaking hand and placed it on her stomach. For a moment, he felt nothing but the heatof her, and then a rounded edge nudged against his palm. Landon snatched his hand away, worried he’d startled the baby.
“Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
“We’re both fine. I think she wants to say hello,” Aubrey said, some softness entering her voice.
“She?” His heart expanded with love he didn’t know he was capable of.
“Yes, we’re having a daughter. In just about three months.”
How could I be so happy?He didn’t deserve them, but he knew without a doubt that he couldn’t live without them. Landon’s neck and shoulders strained as though he were physically restraining the hope that was fighting to free itself within him. He couldn’t let his desperation color what her words meant.
“Are you still afraid, Landon?”
“No, because I won’t fail you.”
“But that’s not possible.” He sucked in a breath to protest strongly, but Aubrey placed the tips of her fingers on his parted lips. Even at a time like this, his body jumped in response. “Life isn’t perfect, but that’s okay. If you falter, I’ll catch you, and you’ll do the same for me.”
Landon froze and stopped breathing until air whooshed out from his lungs in a rush. “Does that mean… Does that mean you’ll have me?”
“Oh, I’ll have you, all right.” Aubrey’s voice was strong and bold as though nothing held her back.
Landon stared at her in awe. If he spoke, she might disappear. But a bright, wonderous smile lit her face.
“You’re right. We are worth fighting for. No matter what.”
“You’re amazing.” He gazed at her with wide-eyed wonder. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Landon Kim, I’m forever yours—heart, body, and soul,”Aubrey said. “I’ll hold and cherish your heart in mine, as I trust you to hold my heart in yours.”
Relief, love, and joy rushed through him, and he began trembling.
“Oh, Landon.” She tightened her arms around him. “Hush, love. We’re together. Everything is all right now.”
“Now that you’re mine, I’m never letting you go.” He spoke when his teeth finally stopped chattering.
“I’m counting on it.” She leaned in to kiss him, but he rose from the couch, pulling her to her feet.Not yet. We have time now.
“Close your eyes and come with me.” He led her down the hallway, tightly gripping her hand. “Now open them.”
They were in the nursery. He hadn’t known the sex of the baby, so Aria had suggested he paint the room a soft cream with a matching baby mobile and plush nursing chair. He hadn’t known half the stuff in the room even existed, but he’d done his research to create a nursery that Aubrey would love. A place she would want to raise their baby in.
“Do you like it?” When she remained silent and still, Landon rubbed the back of his neck and rushed to explain himself. “You could change anything you don’t like. I didn’t know we were having a daughter.”
“Is this your house? You bought a house by Weldon?”
“Ourhouse. Your life, your friends, and your dream. It’s all in Weldon. I would never take you away from that. I know you have a cottage, but with the baby coming, I thought we would need more room. Especially when we have more children.” Heat rose from his neck, and he shrugged sheepishly. “I mean, if you want more children, that is.”
