Page 125 of Love Notes & Lifelines
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
BECK
We survived the stomach bug,but it was a close call. Who the fuck knew so much crap could come from such a tiny human?
Ruby was the worst. At least Emmy had some control. But I’m not really one to talk. I got it on day number two and didn’t fare much better than Ruby.
Stella took care of us all. She’s the true rockstar of our little family.
“Beck? Are you listening to me?” Elijah asks, drawing my attention away from my Ruby Rocket. “Does she just fly back and forth like that all day?” He arrived this morning and has been talking ever since.
“No,” I scoff. “But she would if we let her. I’m afraid she has too much of her father in her already.”
Elijah’s expression softens. It’s the first time I’ve allowed myself to speak about Davis, and he knows it.
The front door opens, and Emmy runs through, followed by Stella, Tabby, and Leo.
“I gots my dwess, Uncle Daddy. I gots my dwess!” Emmy holds up a bag that’s overflowing with pale-pink tulle.
I push the laptop aside and open my arms, fully aware of Elijah’s eagle-eyed gaze following my every move.
“Elijah,” Stella cries as Emmy jumps into my lap.
“There she is.” Elijah embraces her like a long-lost lover, and it’s all I can do to keep my growl in check.
“Jealous much?” he tosses over his shoulder, and I fight another rumble in my chest.
“Whatever,” I mutter. Emmy sticks her bag right under my nose.
“Isn’t it the pwettiest?”
“The prettiest,” I agree. Turning to Tabby while Leo drops even more bags in the foyer, I ask, “Is everything all set?”
Jesus. How much shit did they buy?
“I hate shopping,” Stella mutters.
My jaw drops. “Who doesn’t enjoy shopping?”
“It feels like a waste of money, Beck. If this isn’t, you know…” She holds up her hand wearing my ring and my stomach sours.
I stand with Emmy in my arms and cross the room. “Everything about that ring is real, Stella. It’s a celebration of us.”
“Holy swoon,” Tabby gushes.
“What will it take to make you realize how serious I am? I’m all in, sweetheart, and I’m willing to prove it however you need.” I grip the back of her neck and pull her lips to mine.
Emmy, still propped on my hip, claps her hands wildly. We’ve kept the PDA to a minimum in front of the girls, but my self-control is running thin. Especially when there are times like this that I fear Stella has one foot out the door.
That’s the worst kind of panic I’ve ever felt in my life. I don’t know how to live if she’s not by my side because I’m no longer me without her.
“Emmy,” Stella hisses and tries to pull away, but Leo takes the little girl from my arms without me asking and I deepen the kiss. The moment her lips melt against mine I know we’re on the same page.
I hear Elijah and Tabby ushering the girls to the kitchen so it’s just me and Stella.
“This is us, Stella Jane. Does this feel real enough for you?”
Her objections melt away as she sinks into my touch. This, right here, is when my life finally spins in the right direction.
