Page 80 of Jaime
“Now, this doesn’t need to be permanent if you don’t like it,” he said as he led me up the stairs. “I know it might be a lot.”
He stroked my knuckles with his thumb as we walked down the hall to one of the spare bedrooms. At the door, Ethan paused and turned to look at me.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured into this, it can all be undone, but if you want it as much as I do, just know, you and Evie are the most important parts of my life now and I want to make sure it stays that way.”
With that, he pushed the door open, revealing a nursery.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
I walked into the room, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. The walls were painted a soft gray with puffy clouds floating by. Floating shelves held familiar toys and story books. A comfortable looking rocking chair was set next to the crib. All around soft decorations, pillows and baby blankets and rugs with cute designs livened the place up.
“This is her crib,” I whispered, “and her blankets...”
“And most of her toys,” Ethan added, still sounding nervous.
I turned to look at him, my eyes wide.
“Ethan, when did you have time to do this?” I demanded.
He shrugged sheepishly. “I painted the walls on Monday, got that rug and those pictures delivered yesterday. Then, today, while you were out, I stopped by your place and picked up the crib and the rest that I could fit in my car.”
“How did you have the time?!”
He chuckled.
“I barely did. I had to take the crib apartandput it back together.”
He stepped up to me, taking my hand again, gaze raking my eyes.
“Does this mean you don’t hate this idea?”
“Which idea exactly?” I asked, wanting him to say it.
He smiled gently.
“I want you and Evie to come live with me here.”
“Because—”
“Because I love you and don’t want to let you go, ever. Whether you like it or not, you two are my family now and I’m not going anywhere.”
If I’d wanted proof, this was it. I couldn’t argue even if I wanted to, and I didn’t. Being here, starting a proper home and family with Ethan, was a dream come true.
I found myself nodding, choking back tears as I threw myself into his arms, embracing him tightly, feeling the relief that flooded his body in the way he started to laugh.
“Oh thank god!” He laughed, squeezing me so hard that I could barely breathe. I laughed in return, holding him just as tightly.
“So, I’m moving in?” I asked, still not believing it.
“Yes,” he grinned.
“Now?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
“Now.”
“Okay,” he laughed. “That would be amazing.”
