Page 102 of Finally Forever
He tilts his head, worry showing in his eyes.
She walks to him. “I know I’ve said that before and then disappeared. I won’t this time. I want to live in Paris. I want to raise the baby here. You can be Uncle Lowell.”
He chuckles. “Oncle Lowell?” he says the wordunclein French.
“It sounds so much prettier like that.” Ainsley beams up at him.
“I like it.”
“Luc too.”
“He’ll love it!”
Ainsley turns to me, a brightness shining around her that wasn’t there when she opened the door. “You have to meet Luc. He makes the best French food.”
“You only dined with us once.” Lowell plants his hands on his hips.
“Then you have to have us again.” She smiles at me.
I don’t know how to tell her this might not be okay. If Francesca told my father I’m alive, we’ll be in worse danger than before. Xavier hasn’t texted with an update. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t know. He might be letting me have this time with Ainsley before delivering bad news.
Seeing Ainsley with Lowell, though… I can’t separate her from him. It will destroy her, and she needs to be happy and healthy, mentally and physically, for our baby.
I wonder how Lowell and Luc would feel about moving to a remote island. It can be French. There are plenty in the Caribbean. Am I thinking of relocating these two so Ainsley can have a friend? Is that even what she wants? No. She wouldn’t do that to them.
I stand, my hands clammy all of a sudden. This is getting complicated quickly.
Ainsley gathers the coffee mugs from the table. “Did you want this?” She holds one out to me.
“No, thanks.”
A sweet grin curls her lips.
“What?”
“I love that you’re you again.” She rises onto her toes and plants a swift kiss to my lips.
I love that she’s happy again. Her old self as well. “Where are your things? I’ll get them.”
“In the guest room.” Lowell gathers the mugs from Ainsley. “I’ll take these. You take him to where he needs to go.”
“But I didn’t get to drink any?” She pouts.
“Do you want to introduce caffeine to the baby? It’s your body, therefore, your choice.”
She pauses. “I hadn’t thought about that. I need an OBGYN.”
“I know a great one,” Lowell says, surprising me.
“You?” Ainsley asks as he rinses the cups in the sink while talking.
“I work with brides and women. Three of our employees are pregnant now. They love Dr. Thomas and are always gushing about him. He’s British, but that would work for you with the language barrier.”
With a squeal, she runs up behind him and gives him a backward hug. “Lowell, you’re the best!”
He smiles over his shoulder as he continues to wash the dishes.
Ainsley skips to me and kisses me again on the lips. “Come on. Let’s get my stuff.”
