Page 99 of Saving You

CHAPTER 34

Caleb

I’m awoken by the sudden need to sneeze and something tickling my nose. Slowly opening my eyes, I smile to myself as blonde hair fills my vision and I realize I have Bailey draped across me. I inhale deeply, taking in the smell of her, it’s always hints of vanilla and jasmine. Reaching up, I brush her hair away from my nose and tuck stray pieces behind her ear. She nuzzles her face into my neck, and I chuckle. She’s so freaking adorable.

I watch as her eyes open and she stretches before looking at me.

“Good morning,” she says with a sleepy smile.

“Good morning.”

We stare at each other for what feels like minutes. Last night was full of heavy and important conversations, and being able to just hold her as we lie in bed means everything to me. I can see all the thoughts swirling around her mind as she looks at me. Her smile grows even bigger, her eyes crinkling at the corners with the magnitude of it.

“I want to sell,” she says.

It takes me a second to wrap my head around the comment, but when I do, my smile matches hers.

“You want to sell?”

She worries her lip as she nods, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. Her choosing to sell means she's not looking for some backup plan to get out of this relationship. She’s all in.

I roll us so that I hover over her. “I love you,” I whisper before I lean down and kiss her cheeks, then her forehead, nose, and neck, before landing on her lips. It’s an intimate kiss that conveys more for me than words could. She completely relinquishes herself to it, following my lead and allowing me to take control. I savour every second of it before I break the kiss, resting my forehead against hers.

“Why don’t we go get our girl?”

Bailey nods against my head, and I climb out of bed and make my way to the closet. Joining me, Bailey gasps as she takes in the mess I left the closet in yesterday. I rub the back of my neck as I turn and look at her.

“I kinda tore it apart looking for Mom’s ring last night. I’ll put it all back tonight. Don’t worry about it.”

She walks up to me and wraps her arms around my neck as she smiles up at me. “I’m not worried about it. I’m sorry I scared you yesterday.” She rises onto her tiptoes, and her lips brush against my cheek so softly that if I hadn’t watched her do it, I would have guessed I dreamed it.

We get dressed and head downstairs. Bailey lets Finn out while I make us coffee. When she comes back in, we grab our to-go cups and head to the entryway. As we are putting our shoes on, Bailey asks, “Do you mind if we stop by a realtor’s office? I’d like to get some information for listing the house.”

“Yeah, I can text the guy that helped me buy this one. I’m sure he can help you out.”

I pull out my phone and text him. He says to stop by his office and he’ll get us started. Our meeting there is quick and then we are on our way to Lily’s to pick up Charlie.

When we arrive, Bailey lets herself in, and I follow behind her.

“We’re here,” she calls, and I smile at the sound of Charlie’s running.

“Mommy! Daddy!” she calls just before she barrels into my legs.

I reach down and hook my hands under her arms, lifting her up. I hold her close to my chest, closing my eyes and appreciating the feel of her in my arms. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I start to sway a little as I just hold her. This little girl helped save me, and I’m not sure she knows it.

“Daddy, you can put me down now.”

I chuckle as I kiss her cheek and put her down so Bailey can hug her. Down the hallway, Lily is leaning against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest and a smile.

“Hey, Lily,” I say with a head nod.

“Hey, Daddy,” she says.

My neck and cheeks heat.

“I was a little worried when I heard Charlie call that when you guys came in.” She walks towards us and runs her hand over Charlie’s head as she takes the three of us in. Her smile only gets bigger. “I have to say, I like this development.”

“Me too,” I say.

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