“I love you too, Huddlebug.” He kissed my temple, firm, certain. “You’re everything I want. Don’t ever forget that.”
The knot in my chest loosened. “You’re everything I want too. Need even.”
For a few seconds, we fell silent, but I sensed something else was on his mind. Finally, I couldn’t stand not knowing. “Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
“Me and my mom. How we are fixing things between us. And wondering if you ever think of making that first step with your parents.”
My stomach churned. I stared out at the skyline. Matty’s question was proof of how much this man knew me. “To be honest, I’ve given it some thought. Watching you and your mom, the way you’re slowly working things out—I wonder if I should try. Bury the hatchet. But I don’t know if I can.”
“You don’t have to know right now.” He squeezed my hand. “Just think about it. You’re not that boy anymore, Hud. You’re a dad now. And you’re gonna be my husband. If and when you decide to do it, I’ll be right here to do it with you. You never have to go through anything alone again.”
You never have to go through anything alone again.
Something broke open inside me. I turned, caught his face in my hands, and kissed him. Long, slow, aching. He kissed me back with the same unhurried patience, like we had all the time in the world. Our mouths moved together, breathing in the promise that whatever came, we’d face it side by side.
The balcony chair creaked as I shifted closer, my hand splayed across his chest, over the steady thrum of his heart. He slid his fingers up into my hair, tugging gently as his lips deepened against mine. Sweet turned hungry, then softened again, our breaths mingling.
It felt like we were alone in the universe until voices floated from inside, high and bright. Ivy’s giggle, Emma’s softer tones following.
Matty smiled against my mouth, resting his forehead on mine. “Guess the princess is back.”
I huffed a laugh, pressing one last kiss to his lips, then pushing him off me. “I can’t wait to see the dress Emma picked out.”
We stepped back inside, the click of the balcony door quiet behind us. A man I didn’t recognize staggered in under the weight of a dozen glossy shopping bags. He set them down in a pile on the carpeted floor.
“Thank you, Vincent,” Emma said smoothly, passing him a tip from a neat little clutch that had appeared in her hand. He left with a crisp “ma’am.”
Matty let out a low whistle, one brow arched as his eyes swept the mountain of bags. “Mom, I think Ivy’s flower girl dress was just an excuse for you to do some shopping for yourself.”
Emma’s smile was cool and triumphant. “These aren’t for me. They’re for Ivy.”
My jaw dropped. I counted five, six, ten, thirteen bags and groaned, dragging a hand over my face. “Oh my God. This is too much.”
“Nana got me a wainbow dress! And sparky shoes!” Ivy was happy-dancing around the bags, practically glowing.
Emma delicately lifted a brow. “Is something wrong? We got the dress, but there was still so much that looked adorable on her.”
Matty stepped in before I could make a fool of myself. “I’m afraid my fiancé thinks we’re spoiling our daughter.”
Emma’s mouth curved, soft but knowing. “Every girl deserves to be spoiled a little. And that’s what Nanas are for.”
Matty chuckled, bumping my side. “Don’t fight it, man. Accept it. Besides, it’s not like we’re just spoiling her. We’ll teach her values, teach her to be kind.”
“I don’t want her growing up not knowing the value of working hard. I hadn’t, and look where I ended up?”
Matty wrapped an arm around my waist. “Where? From where I’m standing, our life together is pretty good, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is, but you know what I mean. Before I met you.”
Ivy paused midspin, looking between us with wide, worried eyes. She ran over to me, tilting her head back. “Did I do something bad, Daddy?”
My heart dropped to my boots. I crouched fast until I was eye level with her. “No, baby,” I said, my voice rougher than I meant. I brushed her hair back. “You’re the best little girl in the world. The very best.”
Her smile returned, shy but sure, as she leaned into me. And in that moment, I knew Matty and Emma were right: little girls like this deserved the best. Maybe I could let go of my worry and let her have the rainbow dresses and sparkly shoes, so long as she also learned hard work and discipline.
