Page 94 of Seal the Deal

She nods, her eyes soft with something that looks a lot like love. I feel it too—this need to protect, to cherish, to be the man both she and the kids can count on. I’ve never wanted anything more.

I listen to Meadow’s small, sleepy breaths as she falls back into a deep sleep. Charlie has drifted off too, her face peaceful, the gentle curve of her lips slightly parted. I let myself watch her for a few moments, taking in her beautiful face, her eyelashes soft against her cheeks.

I love you.

Finally, I slip out of bed as quietly as I can, careful not to wake them. The room is still dark, just the faintest hint of dawn sweeping through the room. I press a kiss to Charlotte’s temple and let my lips linger on her skin for a moment, before heading downstairs.

The house is silent, the kind of stillness that only comes before the world wakes up. It’s way too early, but I’ve got a flight to catch, and leaving before the kids wake up was the plan. After Meadow’s appearance though, it feels like a step forward—unexpected, but somehow perfect.

After freshening up in the downstairs bathroom, I head to the kitchen, scrolling through my phone while I wait for the Uber. The only sound is the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.

It’s almost too peaceful, like the calm before the storm. I can feel the weight of the next week pressing down on me, the distance that’s about to stretch between us.

A creak of a floorboard pulls my attention up, and I see a small figure in the doorway. Noah’s wide eyes lock on mine, and I can tell he’s still half-asleep, piecing together what he’s seeing.

“Hey, Noah,” I say softly, careful not to startle him. “It’s just me.”

He blinks, rubbing his eyes. “Jake?” His voice is sleepy, a little confused, but there’s no fear.

“Yeah, buddy. Just waiting for my ride.”

Noah steps into the kitchen, holding a small cup. “I was getting some water.”

I nod, watching as he moves to the sink, filling his glass. He’s quiet, more observant than I would’ve expected. As he takes a sip, he glances at me, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. He’s sharp for his age, but instead of questioning, he just nods to himself, like this is all perfectly normal.

“You’re going?” he asks.

“Yeah, got a flight to catch. But I’ll be back soon.”

He nods again, taking another sip. “Okay.”

His matter-of-fact tone catches me off guard. He’s not surprised; not questioning why I’m here so early. It’s like he’s already accepted it, and that makes me feel a little more at ease.

Soft footsteps on the stairs make us both look up, and there’s Charlie in mismatched pajamas, her hair tousled. She freezes when she sees us, her eyes flicking between me and Noah, a mix of surprise and something like relief crossing her face.

“Noah,” she says gently, moving toward him, “what are you doing up so early?”

“Just getting some water.” He holds up his glass as proof.

Charlotte glances at me, her eyes softening as she places a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “It’s still really early, bud. Why don’t you go back to bed for a little while longer?”

Noah nods, his eyes flicking to me again. “Bye, Jake,” he adds before heading back upstairs.

“Bye, buddy,” I reply.

Charlotte waits until Noah’s door clicks shut, then turns to me, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “He didn’t seem too surprised to see you.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “No, he didn’t. He’s a sharp kid.”

She steps closer, wrapping her arms around my middle as she rests her head into my chest. “Guess we might have underestimated how much they’re aware of.”

“Yeah,” I murmur, resting my lips to her hairline. “But I think that’s a good thing.”

Charlie tilts her head to look up at me, then leans in to press a soft kiss to my jaw. “I’m gonna miss you like crazy.”

“Same, but I’ll be back before you know it…" I brush my lips slowly against the tender skin where her neck meets her jaw. “And I’m not leaving you alone, remember? You’ve got the world’sbest friendsupstairs to keep you company.”

She groans softly, playfully smacking my shoulder. “Seriously, Jake, let it go.”

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