Page 77 of The Wrong Side Of Us

We’d both been stubborn, to the point of questioning a relationship that flourished so easily. We’d always been meant to be.

“You’ve done many things right in this life, too,” I whispered. “You were there for me when there was no one else. You’ve talked sense to me. Been there for your parents…loved Nana and Carter.” I swallowed, realizing the truth behind my words.

My family had neglected Nana, the foundation of the family, and sadly she’d left this Earth knowing that. At least she knew that Nathan and I loved her. I’d give anything to share this moment with her, but having Carter there was redeeming. I could take care of him.

“Anne and Carter will always be important to us, Evie. They’re our family, always will be. Yes, Anne isn’t here anymore physically, but she’s watching over you. She’s here.” I was an open book to him; he always knew what to say.

I was going to be his wife.

“It’s a beautiful ring.” It was a single square-cut stone with many smaller ones surrounding it. The engraving inside it made it more significant.

Simply gorgeous.

Nathan laughed softly, his head shaking as he recalled his adventure while searching for a ring. “I kept trying to find one, was never happy enough with the rings I saw. Jessica told me she knew someone who could design a ring, so I thought I could try it out, but something didn’t feel right.” He smiled, leaning his cheek on my belly once again. My fingers automatically searched out the muscles in his neck, massaging them to help drive out whatever tension he felt. “I told Carter, and he immediately offered up the ring, said your nana would have loved for you to have it. I knew he was right, but I didn’t want to take it. It’s important to him. He insisted, though.”

“It’s beautiful.”

The baby moved.

“Someone else is awake.” I could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke to the baby now. Sweetly, he caressed my little bump, telling the baby all about our day. All the while, I listened to him speak, memorizing this, for I knew these were the moments I’d want to remember forever.

“I hope you have your mommy’s eyes,” he said.

I tsked at him, getting his attention. “Are you kidding me?” I asked. “Baby needs to have your gray eyes. Do you know how rare they are?”

Nathan grinned, a teasing glint in those gray orbs that always drove me crazy.

He knew it too.

“What?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to appear threatening. Instead of helping, however, Nathan’s lips stayed tilted up into a smirk.

He placed one more kiss on my belly and then kissed his way up my body, making me giggle. I laid back, my head on the pillow, as he caged me in with his hands on either side of my head. Leaning his forehead against mine, Nathan sighed, his stare boring right through my soul.

“I’m very sorry for hurting you.” For a moment, he seemed torn, unsure of what to say. “I wish I could promise it won’t happen again but—”

“But you can’t,” I stopped him. I knew he was right. We were only human; we would both make mistakes in the course of our lives as we continued to grow and mature.

That was a point in a relationship, right?

Grow up together.

Grow closer together.

Grow stronger.

“Let’s not allow anyone else to get between us, please.” He nodded, smiling the sweetest smile. “I’ll always only want you, Nate. You’re the one for me.”

His gaze dropped to my lips, soon shifting back up to my eyes. It was as if words were no longer enough for him in that moment, and he opted to capture my lips in a kiss. I sighed, giving into him without hesitation.

It was an I’m sorry for the things that happened just a few days ago. It was him telling me how lucky he felt to have me by his side. An I love you…

I gave him just as much.

His eyes stayed fixed on mine the whole time as he pushed into me, both of us moaning softly. This was home, him inside me, both of us connected in the most intimate way possible. I couldn’t imagine myself feeling this way with any other man, and the way he looked at me, I knew he couldn’t see another woman this way either.

Earlier it was desperate, but now, this was my gentle and loving Nathan, making sweet love to me, to my heart.

We were one.

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