Page 140 of Love Me

“Is there anything I can do?”

He can’t, but the knowledge that he would if he could means everything. And I think this is what a real partnership should feel like, just being there when things get rough for each other.

“I think I need another surgery.” That’s the thing with endometriosis. It’s not as if you had one surgery and then you’re good. No, the tissue grows back.

“I hated it then. And I will hate it when I do it again, but it’s the only way.”

“I will be right there with you this time, and Celine, whatever is going through your mind, I love you just how you are. Whether we have kids, you’re in pain, or if you laugh or cry, I love you. You’re strong, but let me hold you when you don’t feel like being strong. You’re my strength, and I just…”

I put my finger on his lips and say, “I know, it’s… I should have told you.”

“Hey, no, no. In case you don’t remember, it wasn’t on my mind either.”

I shift into a sitting position and sigh, “Imagine that when we still have so much to overcome.”

“And we will, together. Just don’t keep me out.”

“I won’t.”

He gets out of bed, but not before placing a tender kiss on my forehead and quickly returns with my laptop.

We watch a movie, his hand on my belly the entire time, the other caressing my head. Nothing compares to being snuggled against your person––safe, cherished, and loved while he gives you what you need.

Kaden’s hands are doing their magic, and everything in me relaxes.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” I say through a yawn.

“I love you too.”

When I wake up, it’s to his gorgeous face, those high cheekbones, sharp jaw, straight nose.

He was beautiful as a kid and even more as a teenager. Now, the man he has become is devastatingly handsome.

He opens one eye, catching me ogling him.

“What? It’s not like I am not your wife or anything?”

He rolls me over and tickles me. I try to swat his hands away through the bouts of laughter.

“Stop it. Oh my god. Kaden, I’ll pee myself.”

He continues to tickle me while I barely hold on to my bladder. I laugh so hard that my vision blurs. Everything else disappears from my mind: all the fear, anxiety, and worry.

If it were possible, I would bottle up this moment. Us together, laughing. Just two ordinary people in love having fun together.

But it’s time to allow reality back in, even though it’s hard to deny Kaden’s sensual kisses. His wicked tongue has a way of making my brain mush.

Pushing him off me, I touch my lips. I’m sure they look the same as his: swollen and glistening.

“I’m coming with you,” he says.

“But?”

“We’ll be careful.”

I don’t know how careful we really are, but I don’t want to say no. He’s my strength too.

During breakfast, I notice Blake looking into space. I take the seat next to him, brushing my arm against his.

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