Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Sweet Pea, you can’t ask Amy that yet. Daddy and Amy have to get to know each other better. Amy’s right, and it’s a big decision. But once we make it, I’ll talk to you about it, okay? Until then, it’s just us. And I will never leave you,” he assured her.
“I love you, Daddy,” she whispered. “Even if I don’t get a mommy, I still love you.”
“And I love you.” He bent and kissed her, pulling her into his arms. He met my eyes, and I had to blink and look away. He said so much without saying a word. He felt Mia’s pain and her want for a mother. He wanted to give that to her. He didn’t know any more than I did what had brought this up today, but he wanted to comfort and reassure her. I stood, indicating I would go downstairs. He nodded, and I pressed a kiss to Mia’s head, leaving them.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SIMON
Mia fell asleep in my arms, and I tucked her in, staring down at her. For someone her age, she was remarkably mature. I wondered what had led to the conversation I’d overheard between her and Amy. She’d seemed in good spirits earlier.
Perhaps it was something she’d been thinking about more than I realized.
I headed down to see Amy, hoping she was still there. I was relieved to see her curled up on the sofa, and I dropped beside her, offering her a rueful smile.
“Sorry. I have no idea what brought on that conversation with Mia.”
Amy smiled. “I wondered myself. Maybe seeing all the moms pick up their kids. Or maybe it’s been on her mind awhile. She mentioned something about the park.”
I nodded. “She told me about it. Evan called Holly a fierce momma lion, and Mia thought that was cool. I guess a daddy lion isn’t enough.” I sighed.
Amy shook her head and cupped my cheek. “You are enough, Simon. She was just being wistful. I liked the fact that she felt comfortable enough to talk to me. Little girls sometimes just—” She shrugged “—need a mommy. I see it at school with divorced parents sometimes.”
“She’s never seemed to miss Kelsey before.”
“She’s growing up. Her needs change. But she’s fine. She has you. Holly and Evan. She has an amazing support system around her.”
“She likes you.”
Amy smiled at me. “I like her. And you. But we’re still pretty new, Simon. Neither of us wants to rush into anything.”
I clasped our hands, staring down at our entwined fingers. I was silent for a moment, choosing my words carefully.
“After Kelsey, I never imagined having someone else in my life again. She hurt me terribly, and even worse, she turned her back on our child, which, regardless of her age, hurt her. I’ve tried to do my best for Mia. Moving here seemed right. She had Evan and Holly. Her cousins. I could be around more. But she is still missing something.”
“She was just having a moment, Simon,” Amy assured me. “She is. But she’ll be fine.”
I looked up, meeting her lovely eyes, the gentleness of her gaze soaking into me, warming me. “I’m not rushing when I say I see a future with you, Amy. I see you in this house with us.” I swallowed. “I see you with Mia. With a child we make together. I’m not getting any younger, and I want that soon. I want to be around for them as they’re growing up.”
“You-you want a child with me?”
I turned so I was facing her. “I want it all with you. The more time I spend with you, the more I want it. I don’t want you to go home at night. I don’t want to wake up in the morning without you beside me. I want to hear you laughing with Mia. See your jars and bottles on the bathroom vanity. Mutter about how much closet space you take. I want it all with you.” I drew in a deep breath. “And I’m afraid you might not want it as much as I do. And that frightens me more than anything else.”
She blinked, then looked down at our hands. She didn’t say anything for a minute and I was afraid I’d said too much. Then a tear splashed on our joined hands, and I slid my fingers under her chin, lifting her face and meeting her watery gaze. “Too much?” I asked.
“Too beautiful. You really want all that with me, Simon? I’m not too much, too out there?”
“No,” I said firmly. “I love your free spirit. I adore the way you seize life and live it. I think the way you dress is sexy and beautiful.” I edged closer. “And your spontaneity. I really love that.” Brushing a finger over her lips, I smiled. “I’ve never felt this way before, Amy. Ever. You make me happy. Aside from Mia, no one and nothing has ever made me feel the way you do. I don’t want that to end.”