It’s not out of pity that she’s crying, it’s for my own pain, and she’s still not running away from me. That realization is like a flood gate opening and everything spills out.
“I think she knew I was going to end things with her, and she grasped at anything to hold onto me, even with the lies surrounding her and her indiscretion. She couldn’t keep up with her own lies, they mixed together until you couldn’t believe a word she said. I didn’t know until after the baby was gone that it never was mine. Beast told me about her and Jeff. Everyone knew, Kat, everyone but me. I wasn’t ready to be a dad, but I was going to step up and be a father to that baby no matter what. Jeff told her to get rid of the baby when word got around she was pregnant, and she did it without hesitating. I think she knew it was only a matter of time before I found out. I wouldn’t have wanted that for a baby though. I don’t know what I would have done, but anything but that. I think the most painful part in this is I thought I lost the baby just when the idea of being a dad was beginning to form.” My chest expands on an inhale as old scars cut deep, and she leans forwards to cup my cheek.
“They’re the messed up ones for going behind your back. I wish you would have told me before, but I understand. After years of living with my father…all I knew was to bottle things up and trust no one. I’m here for you, always. You're not alone Granger,” she declares and cuddles into my side, showing she can carry a piece of my past with her and still be standing here, bearing the pain with me.
Getting it out, talking to her about the loss, lies, and everything else makes me feel relieved, like a weight has been lifted off my chest.
“I love you. I’m sorry for everything, for every fuck up that separated us. No more secrets, Princess. We share everything from now on, and I’ll try not to be a grumpy asshole again. My heart is literally yours,” I grumble, smiling into her neck when I finally hear her laugh again.
“I love your grumpy ass, Granger. I don’t want you to change,” she says before pulling away and handing me my phone. “I would call your parents and let them know everything that happened last night, but first, we need to make one stop with them at my father’s.”
“Kat,” I say seriously, holding her gaze as I skim my thumb over her lips, “what can I do to help? Last night… What do you need?” My voice comes out gruffly, wanting her to know I’ll do anything for her to help her heal.
“Never stop touching me. Tell me you love me everyday, and hold me always,” she whispers in a soft voice, her eyes flashing with pain. I pull her close by the back of the neck to kiss her lips so fucking gently, we’re hardly touching but she can still feel me.
“I can do that. But first, I feed my woman… I made blueberry muffins the other night when I couldn’t sleep.” I pull away from her and laugh deeply when I see her eyes widen and her mouth drop open in shock at me baking shit by myself.
Suddenly, I pick her up behind her thighs, enjoying her surprised squeal, and she wraps her long legs around my waist with a squeeze. She curls her arms around the back of my neck, playing with my hair with a pleased hum under her breath. It’s contentment.
“You made muffins? Blueberry?” I don’t know why that surprises her, but it does. I bet she’s almost afraid to eat them, because of how her birthday cupcake turned out. Still, we ate that cupcake together in bed on her birthday and she said it was the best day of her life, so my baking is the shit.
“I missed you, and it reminded me of you.” I shrug, almost dislodging her before smacking a playful spanking on her squeezable ass as I carry her into the kitchen, loving the sound of her laugh.
At this moment, I know everything’s going to be okay. Not all can be forgotten, but I have a woman who will stick by my side through thick and thin, and remind me that I’m loved with just a simple thing like a kiss and calling me a grumpy asshole. That’s true love right there.
