Page 121 of Saving His Heart
She climbs off my lap to sit beside me. “Fine.”
Chuckling, I imitate her, “Fine.”
“Did you hear from Loki this week?”
“No,” I admit. “Who knew he could change in the blink of an eye like that?”
“Well, in fairness, it wasn’t really a blink of an eye. It was over four or five months, but I get your point. We also have no idea what they really went through, so we have to be careful not to judge.”
“I know.”
“Do you think he’ll come to Italy?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never seen Loki like this. I don’t know what to expect from him anymore.”
Taking my hand in hers, she kisses the back of it. “I’m sure it’ll all work out for everyone,” she says with a smile.
“Are you upset your dad won’t make it?” Emory’s father had been trying hard in rehab but suffered a stroke four months ago. We moved him to an assisted living facility where he will probably live out his remaining days.
“Yes, and no. I would like to think that Dad was working on his sobriety so he could be a part of our lives, but given our history, that’s likely wishful thinking. I’m glad each of my sisters could have a conversation with him while he was sober, though. I’m not sure that has ever happened before.”
“It really has been a dumpster fire of a year, huh?”
“It’s not like any year I can ever remember, but I also wouldn’t change it for anything. You’ve taught me how to accept love this year, Preston. All these years, I thought I knew what love was, but it wasn’t until you that I learned what true love feels like.”
“I love you forever,” I tell her. Letting Goldie know how much I love her has become my life’s mission.
“I love you, too, Pres. Always.”
“Are you sure you’re not going to want children, Ems?”
She turns in her seat to look at me. I know I just dropped a bomb in left field, so I hold my breath while I wait for her response.
“Preston, we’ve talked about this. I’m completely in agreement that your vasectomy was the best decision you could have made. We would never want to pass that gene on. I’ve never been sure when it came to kids. I started raising my sisters when I was just out of diapers myself. Honestly, I’m scared to do it again.”
“But it would be different because we would do it together.” I’m not even sure why I’m pushing this. I’ve never thought about having kids of my own.
“D-Do you want to have kids, Preston?”
“Honestly? I’ve never given it much thought until recently. Maybe it’s seeing everyone with kids, or maybe it’s because I have you beside me. I’m not sure. But I have been thinking about it more lately. Mostly, I just want to make sure you know that just because I can’t have biological children doesn’t mean I’m against it if you decide it’s something you want.”
“Well, it wouldn’t just be me wanting something, Preston. That’s a huge decision that would have to be made together.”
Emory is silent for a while, and I decide not to push.
“You wouldn’t mind raising a kid that wasn’t yours?” she finally asks.
Turning her face to meet my mine, I tell her the truth. “Sweetheart, half of my family is made up of water, not blood. Family is whoever you choose it to be. Whether it’s a part of you or someone else entirely, I would welcome any child into my heart because they would be ours.”
Emory works to swallow before nodding her head. “Okay, good to know. Let’s, let’s just think about it, okay? Maybe we can talk again after our trip.”
“Whatever you want, Goldie. All you ever have to do is ask. I love you forever.”
“Forever and always.”
*Turn the page for a preview of Loki’s story…
Romancing His Heart
