Page 86 of Never Really Mine
Can she continue to take her medication?
Sex can help mood swings. *release happy hormones*
Cuddling also helps
Is that why he’s been so cuddly? Or is that just him? Either way, my eyes are steadily streaming tears. Has it really been this way all along? How did I not realize how in tune he was with me the whole time, masking or not?
I flip through the rest of the book, through every tabbed page, highlighted passage, and note card taped to the pages. I read through every note, and learn things that even I didn’t know.
I don’t even hear the door open and close until Beau is standing in front of me, his face a mask of pure distress.
50
BEAU
The sound of stifled sobs is the first thing I hear when I make my way through the door into the kitchen. I’m on edge instantly. I stalk through the kitchen to the living room where I find my girl sitting on the couch. Her feet are propped up on the cushions, her rounded stomach covered by a sweatshirt of mine. A burst of possessiveness runs through my veins. Knowing that she’s mine, that she’s carrying my children, that one day I will put a ring on her finger, and give her my last name, makes every bit of pain from the last fifteen years worth it.
“Did someone hurt you?” She doesn’t respond. “Marley, who hurt you?” I let my voice deepen.
“No one hurt me, you caveman,” she finally replies. “I found your books.”
“My books?” I reply, at a loss. I can’t recall what books she’s talking about, until I look at her lap to find the pregnancy books I’ve been reading. I ordered them the day we found out she was pregnant.
“Yes. I can’t believe you paid so much attention, learned so much for me.” Her voice is tight, like she’s holding back her emotions.
I’m confused by her reaction. I guess I assumed she knew, but maybe not. “Of course,” I reply earnestly. “I am here for you, no matter what. Marley, I’ve wanted to make this as easy for you as possible.”
She nods, her bangs falling into her eyes. I push the hair away, cupping her damp cheek in my palm. “Hey,” I croon. “I’ve got you.”
Nodding again, she mumbles something under her breath.
“What?” I ask, leaning forward.
“I know that now,” she murmurs. She leans into my touch, tilting her head to rest on my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her into me. Her entire body relaxes, fingers gliding around my neck to tangle in the hair at the nape.
I hold her, letting her get out her emotions until she’s only sniffling.
When she pulls her head back, I smooth her hair away from her face. Her eyes are red and watery, but they’re bright, and happy at the same time.
“What happened?” I ask her.
“Seeing that… your notes, how invested you are, it helped put some things into perspective for me.” She wipes the last tears on her cheeks. “I love you. I won’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” I reiterate. “Honestly, you’re kind of stuck with me.”
“You’re mine, right?”
“Of course I am,” I reply. “Just like you are mine. I love you, Marley”
“Calling you my boyfriend feels insignificant for how much I love you,” Marley says.
I can’t even begin to explain how much her claim on me means. I’ve been waiting for this day, this moment. I’ve watched her acclimate to it over the last few weeks, but watching her have the full realization in real time is so fucking incredible. My heartwants to beat out of my chest. I’m so proud of her, of how far we both have come, to get to this moment. “Is that what I am?” I tease.
“Yes,” she replies, “but you’re so much more, and you know it.”
“I do.” I lean in, kissing her deeply. The saltiness of her tears mingles with the taste of her, but I know now that it’s good tears. Her lips move against mine, her tongue parting my lips to dart in and taste me.
When I pull away, she whimpers.
