Page 26 of Waiting for Her

“I love you too, you know.”

I kiss her forehead, reminding myself that this is why I tell her I love her every day. This feeling right here, the feeling of contentment that will forever be tied to this woman and the child she’s growing inside of her.

“I know this baby isn’t mine,” I start, and Addison tenses under my hold. “But to me, that doesn’t change the fact that I will be their father. And I want us to be a family.” There’s a beat of silence before she takes a deep breath and sits up, her eyes meeting mine.

“Are you sure? I know this isn’t exactly how you pictured your life turning out.”

That’s where she’s wrong. This is exactly what I always wanted with her. Her uncertainty puts a bad taste in my mouth and so I hug her tighter, breathing in her scent and reminding myself that she’s mine.

“You’re right,” I say as her body locks on top of me. “It’s better. That baby might not be my blood, but I’ll be damned if it’s not mine. That child will never know what it’s like to live without a father because I will be there no matter what. I will be there every step of the way.”

“Max.” Her breath whooshes out of her, and I kiss her neck.

“That child has been mine since the second you told me that jackass was out of your life. You are both mine if you’ll have me.” My fingers dig into my pocket and I pull out the ring that’s been sitting in my suitcase for weeks.

“Max, what…” She stops herself, her fingers ghosting over the diamond ring between us. “How…”

I shake my head, a chuckle rumbling between us.

“This ring can be anything you want it to be. It can be a promise of our future together, it can symbolize my love for you and our child, or it can mean you’ll marry me. I don’t care what it means to you. All I want is for you to be mine in any way possible.”

Addison lifts herself up off my chest and looks into my eyes.

“Are you serious right now?”

I nod, my expression serious because the idea of her not being mine forever cracks the foundation my entire existence stands on.

“Max, we’ve only been together for a month.”

I nod again, knowing all of this already.

“I know, and that’s why it doesn’t have to symbolize marriage if you’re not ready.”

Her confused face is adorable, and I smile up at her.

“I just wanted you to know where I’m at, and if you’re not there yet then that’s okay.”

Her uncertainty is evident as her eyes flick between my face and the ring that still sits in the palm of my hand.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” Her hands run over her stomach, my eyes drifting down and seeing the bump that is housing her little miracle. “Because if you’re only doing this because you feel sorry for me and the situation I’m in—”

I stop her with a kiss, needing to shut her up and have her listen to me.

“I know this is fast, baby. I know that. But right now I’m leading with my heart, and it’s telling me that this is the best decision I will ever make. You are the best decision I will ever make.”

The tears come hard and fast as Addison peers down at the ring.

“I don’t think I’m ready for this yet,” she admits, fear glazing over her beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry.”

The tears fall harder now and I hold her closer. I can admit that the disappointment of her answer hit me hard, but I push it aside, putting the ring away and kissing her neck, her cheeks, and her eyelids. My disappointment is in myself, not her answer. I knew it was soon. I knew I should be wary but I assumed she was in the same place as I am, but now I see the truth. This woman loves me, but she’s about to become a mother, and having me put this on her right now when her whole world is about to implode in a few weeks was a stupid move. I see that now.

“Baby, look at me.”

She shakes her head.

“Addison, please,” I beg, needing to see her eyes when I tell her this.

When they finally connect with mine, I smile. “I’m not upset.”

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