Page 36 of Nolan

Annabelle props herself up on an elbow to look at me. "You're an amazing dad. But you're allowed to be more than that, you know."

"I'm beginning to see that." I pull her close again, breathing in the scent of her hair. "Think we can make this work? Really work?"

She nods against my chest. "I know we can. We already are a family in all the ways that matter. We're just making it official."

"Official," I repeat, liking the sound of it. "My Belle."

She laughs, reaching up to kiss me again, and I feel the last pieces of my carefully constructed walls crumble away. Here, with her in my arms and my daughter sleeping safely down the hall, I'm finally whole.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Annabelle

Sunlight filters through the curtains, painting golden stripes across Nolan's sleeping form. I watch the rise and fall of his chest, the relaxed curve of his mouth, and wonder how I got so lucky. Last night still feels like a dream, but the pleasant ache in my body confirms it was gloriously real.

A soft noise from down the hall catches my attention,Ashlynn must be awake. I slip out of bed carefully, borrowing one of Nolan's t-shirts. It falls to mid-thigh, and I have a moment of self-consciousness before reminding myself that Ashlynn is only three. She won't think anything of it.

I pad quietly to her room, finding her sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes.

"Anna?" She looks confused, her stuffed unicorn clutched to her chest. "Why are you here so early?"

I smile, perching on the edge of her big girl bed. "Just wanted to check on you, sweet pea. How are you feeling?"

She considers this seriously, then nods. "My throat doesn't hurt as much."

"That's good news." I smooth back her tangled curls. "It's still very early, though. Do you think you can go back to sleep for a bit?"

She yawns widely. "Will you read me a story first?"

"Just a short one," I agree, reaching for her favorite book on the nightstand.

She snuggles against me as I read, her small body warm and trusting. By the time the princess in the story finds her way home, Ashlynn's eyes are drooping again.

"Love you, Belle," she murmurs as she drifts off.

"I love you too, sweet girl," I whisper, carefully extracting myself.

When I return to Nolan's bedroom, our bedroom now?,I find him awake, propped up against the headboard.

"Everything okay?" he asks, his voice rough with sleep.

"Perfect." I climb back into bed, curling against his side. "She woke up, but she's sleeping again."

His arm wraps around me, pulling me close. "And how are you this morning? Any regrets?"

I tilt my face up to his. "Not a single one. You?"

"Only that we didn't do this sooner." He kisses me softly, and I feel it all the way to my toes.

When we break apart, a thought occurs to me. "Nolan, what about... I mean, should we tell people? About us?"

He considers this. "You mean our friends? Ashlynn?"

I nod. "I'm not sure what the protocol is here. I don't want to confuse Ashlynn, but I also don't want to hide."

"No hiding," he agrees firmly. "I think we should tell Ashlynn once she's feeling better. She already loves you so much, Belle. This will only make her happy."

The thought warms me. "And the others? Daisy has teased me for months about having a crush on you."

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