Page 96

She sounds worried, like that could possibly be a con.

“I know. And that would be the biggest honor. I’ll never be their dad, but I know better than anyone what it’s like to have their dad. I hope he’ll take on board what you said and show up for them, but whether he does or not, I want to be there for them. For all three of you.”

“Are you sure?” she asks, her voice watery. “I’m not going to change my mind on having more kids.”

I kiss the tip of her nose before answering. Hell, I’ll go and get a vasectomy so she doesn’t have to worry about accidentally getting pregnant again, if that’s what she wants. “I’m certain. What else are you worried about?”

“I don’t want to get married. I mean, I guess there’s a chance I’ll change my mind on that one, but probably not.”

“Okay.”

She frowns. “Okay? Just like that?”

“Just like that,” I confirm with a chuckle. “Would I marry you? Absolutely. Do I need to? Nope. If you do change your mind, let me know. If not, that’s cool.”

She looks uncertain, so I take her hand and bring it to my lips.

“Scar, not to steal your line or anything, but I just want you. And Cait and James. This past month has been the best of my life, and I know it won’t always be Christmas lights and gingerbread, but I’m okay with that. I want every season with you.”

“Oh.” A tear spills down her cheek, and I catch it with my thumb. “I would really like that, too.” She sniffs, and I can tell she’s holding back from fully crying.

“Baby,” I murmur, holding her close. “Don’t cry. We’re going to make it happen.”

“I know. But you live really far away, and I don’t want to be apart,” she hiccups, her tears falling thick and fast now.

“I do live really far away. But I don’t want to be apart either, so that’s why I’m moving here.” God, it feels good to finally say it. Like drawing in air after holding my breath for the longest time. I didn’t want to tell her until I had all the information, but it’s been killing me since I found out, the day we went to the cabin.

It takes a second for the words to sink in, but I can tell the exact moment they do. She gasps and her lips part. “What? You’re moving here?”

Nodding has never felt so fucking good. “Aye, love. I’m moving here. I’m transferring through work. I’ll be based out of the Vancouver office but working remotely from here. Ronan and Fallon are moving, too.”

She claps her hand to her mouth, a sob wracking her body. “You’re staying for good? For us?”

It’s barely a whisper, but it hits me so hard, I almost start crying. I know what it means to her that I want to stay. For her, for the kids. Just like I know how it feels to be left behind.

“Forever, Scar. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

She throws her arms around me and sobs against my chest. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I’m really happy,” she babbles as I stroke my hand down her hair. “Wait—did you say Ronan and Fallon are moving here, too? What about your mom?”

“Mom knows we’re moving, and she’s happy for us. She’s going to fly over to visit us all the time. Ronan is transferring through work too. We still need to apply for Fallon’s visa, but it’s pretty straightforward, and we have time. We’re renting the house next door,” I tell Scarlett and she blinks at me.

“How the hell did I miss you signing a lease?”

I laugh, dabbing her face with my scarf as I tell her about Ronan and me viewing the house when she and Fallon were at Caitlin’s first riding lesson. Ronan and Fallon then got everything in place while we were at the cabin. “That’s where I was this morning.” I pull the key from my pocket and dangle it. “Finalizing everything.” It was surprisingly straightforward, since the house has been empty for a while.

“I know you probably would’ve been fine with me staying here, but I want us to do this right. I want to date you and get to know you better, and I want you and the kids to have your own space while we’re figuring out how things are going to look between the four of us.” Just not so much space that I was willing to move anywhere further than next door.

“Holy shit. My brain is working overtime right now. This is so much to process,” she says.

“All good things, though, right?”

“The best,” she says, tears still coursing over her cheeks. “I feel like the luckiest person in the world right now.”

“That’s exactly how I feel, love,” I say, leaning down and pressing my lips to hers. She loops her arms around my neck, kissing me deeply.

I swear I could kiss her forever, but there’s a bang as the door flies open and a familiar voice shouts, “Gross!”

We break apart and look around to find Caitlin and James, noses wrinkled as they stare at us. Scarlett laughs, wiping her face, and the kids notice her tear-streaked cheeks.