We left the bench behind and wandered through Central Park until Bow Bridge rose ahead, its white arc framed by trees and water glinting in the late light. I pulled her close there, kissing her hard, deep, letting the spell of the place wrap around us.
But the bridge wasn’t the only thing I’d brought her here for. There was something I needed to show my woman.
“What’s up?” Vera asked when I took her hand and walked to one of the park’s benches.
“Take a look.” I gave her a shy smile as I tightened my grip on her hand.
Vera’s gaze drifted back to the bench. She squinted, then leaned down to study the small bronze plaque gleaming on the seat.
May the natural beauty of this park last a lifetime for the generations ahead.
— The Scott family.
Her breath caught. Hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide and shining. “Alistair, this bench is yours.”
I had one hand in my pocket and pulled her to my side, giving her hip a firm squeeze. “This bench is for everyone. That includes you and your kids when you revisit this place.”
“My kids?” Vera pulled away, and her jaw dropped open.
“Look, I don’t want to give you false hope. You might move on and have kids of your own one day.”
She folded her arms. “Suddenly you’re playing God, and you decide how my life should be?”
“There’s nothing romantic about kids, and I don’t want to disillusion you by pretending I want more. It wouldn’t be fair to you, Vera.”
She shifted her stance, hands shoved in her jeans pockets. “I didn’t grow up believing my purpose in life was to become a parent.”
“That makes two of us.” I grinned, trying to pull her in. Bad mistake.
“Stop interrupting me,” Vera snapped, stepping away. "You keep assuming what I want. My entire career is built on facts, not assumptions. Assuming makes?—"
"—an ass out of you and me," I finished. "I've heard the cliché, but this isn't a courtroom. It's us."
She shook her head, eyes blazing. "Then stop treating it like an interrogation."
"Fine." I lowered my voice. "Just answer one question. Do you want children?"
She hesitated, breathing deeply. "It’s complicated. Kids aren’t a life goal for me. But maybe someday, yes. I want that possibility open."
I turned away from her for a moment, feeling the ground shift beneath my feet. "That’s the problem. You want possibilities, and I need certainties."
Her voice softened, but the tension lingered. "Why can’t we just see where life takes us?"
"Because I’ve already been down that road," I shot back. "I have my son. I'm fighting for full custody, and the last thing I need is another battle."
"You think I want another battle for you?" she asked, hurt flickering through her eyes. "I’m not your ex-wife. I’d never do that to you."
"They all say that." The words slipped right out of my mouth, and I regretted it. Shit, that wasn’t meant to come out.
Vera’s eyes flashed with anger and betrayal. "Excuse me?They all say that?Am I suddenly like every other woman who's hurt you?"
"That’s not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" she demanded. "You keep pushing me away because of your past, and I keep forgiving it. Maybe I shouldn’t."
"Look, I'm trying to protect us both,” I said, fingers fidgeting
"From what? From me wanting a life with you? Wanting the choice to decide my own future?"
