Page 15 of Winter Memories

I need to show her I’m here and aren’t going anywhere. Not only with her, but when it comes to Macklin as well.

The moment I turn off my truck and climb out, slamming the door behind me, Eden’s mom, Edith, pops her head out of the front door. She steps out onto the porch with a huge smile on her face and I bound up the few porch steps.

“Fletcher Burns,” there’s a warmth in Edith’s voice which has me grinning at her as I approach and press a kiss to her cheek. “I was wondering how long it would take you to show up here after Walter told me you saw Eden at the store yesterday.”

I make a humming sound, not willing to mention how I was over last night without her knowledge. Sneaking into my woman’s room last night felt illicit even though we’re not the kids we were when I used to sneak in all the time.

“Not long,” I murmur softly.

She squeezes my arm, and her eyes soften as she looks at me. “I always knew you two were meant to be. I’m sorry you’ve lost so much time together, but I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and right when it’s supposed to.”

“I’m trying to keep that in mind.” I sigh, “I missed her so much. I’m sorry I wasn’t over here more often checking up on you and Walter. I should have because you have always been family and the best neighbors we could ever have.”

Edith waves her hand dismissively, her tone light, “Don’t worry about it. We always understood why you kept yourdistance. Pain is pain, and you have to heal in your own way. I hope you both can heal fully now; together.”

“I hope so,” I mutter, my stomach flipping at the sound of small giggles coming from inside the house.

Edith’s face hardens slightly, and she gives me a stern look. “You’re a good man, Fletcher, always have been, but you should know if you hurt my grandson and my daughter then you’ll be dealing with me.”

“I’ll never hurt them,” I vow, feeling the truth of my words to the depths of my soul.

She nods once and then steps into the house, waving me inside. She nods toward the kitchen, and I can’t help but look around as I walk through the house. I haven’t been inside here in a long fucking time.

Everything looks the same for the most part. When I start noticing the new pictures on the wall, I still. There are still all the pictures of Eden and me as we were growing up, but it’s a new one which has me stopping and staring at it in awe.

It’s a profile shot of Eden standing in front of a white wall. Her belly is big and round, showing off her pregnancy and she’s fucking glowing. Still, when I lean a little closer, I can see the strain in the smile on her face and the shadows in her eyes.

She’s happy, but not at the same time.

Without thinking about it, I reach up and trace my finger along the curve of her belly.

“She was radiant, wasn’t she?” Edith’s voice startles me even though she’s talking softly. All I can do is nod mutely while finding it hard to tear my eyes away from her. “Radiant, but sad.” When I look over at her, there’s a soft and hopeful smile on herface. “She’s been sad a long time and I could see you were too. Take this chance and grab hold.”

“I won’t let her go this time. I won’t survive it again.” Questions cross her face, but before she can voice them, I add on, “I won’t let Macklin go either. They’re mine.”

“Then go get them,” her words are filled with glee as she nods toward the kitchen.

The moment I step into the room, my heart fucking melts. Eden is sitting at the table, an empty plate in front of her, as she watches Macklin with a huge smile on her face. His face is smeared with maple syrup as he reaches for a piece of pancake.

Eden gently prods, “You sure you don’t want to use the spoon?”

“Mama,” Macklin sighs, “my fingers work just fine.”

My beautiful woman bites her lip, clearly trying to stop herself from laughing. I’m unable to and chuckle softly. The sound pulls their attention to me. Eden’s eyes widen in surprise as Macklin starts wiggling in his chair and reaching toward me.

“Fletcher,” Eden breathes out and then clears her throat, “what are you doing here so early?”

I smirk at her, “So early? It looks like you’re up with no problem.”

She huffs out a small laugh and rolls her eyes. I sit down next to Macklin, but only because if I sit next to Eden then I’m not going to keep my hands off her. The last thing I want to do in the world is rush her or put her in an uncomfortable position.

“Hi, little man,” I greet Macklin.

He’s practically vibrating with excitement. “Hi, Fletcher,” he chirps.

I want to pull him out of his highchair and snuggle the kid, but that would probably be strange. I push the feeling aside, for now and settle for smiling at him.

I look over at Eden to find her eyes pinging between her son and me. “I was hoping to take you over to Limitless.” She bites her lip and looks at Macklin, like she’s unsure. “Both of you,” I clarify, not wanting her to think I’m excluding her son.

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