“Aston?” Piper said to me. “I mean, Dad?”
“What’s up?” I said casually, not wanting to admit how it cut me like a knife when she called me by my first name, and how it made my heart pound when she called me Dad.
“Do you think Mara could hang with us? I mean, if you have Denise set up, maybe she can take a day off?”
“Would that be okay with you?” I asked Bexley.
“Of course,” she said with that same comforting smile she reserved for the kids.
I grinned at Piper. “Of course, then.”
“Fun! Mom, can we go to the nail place? I want to get my soccer team colors, and Mar would love that. Please?”
Bexley turned to me. “Is that okay?”
I held up my hands. “Look, let’s stop with all theis it okays. If it’s okay for your kids, then it’s okay for mine. Let’s be honest ... they’re all my kids.”
Tyler’s hopeful gaze landed on me.
“You too, bud,” I said to him, then looked at Bexley. “You get the nails taken care of, and I’ll pay. Done. Is it time to clean up?”
Bexley glanced around the table. “Everyone full?”
They all nodded, and we started clearing dishes.
“See? That was great,” I said to Bexley, who had a glass of wine in her right hand, and her left hand in mine. The kids were both in their rooms, tucked safely in bed, and we were sitting in the kitchen.
“I didn’t like that Aston and Mara weren’t here,” she said, and I fell for her for the millionth time.
“Yeah, that sucked. But when I planned to come over, I wasn’t sure what would happen, and so I had Denise take them to see Cass.”
Sipping her wine, Bexley looked at me, her brow furrowed, and I could tell she wanted to say something.
“What?” I asked.
“I shouldn’t say it, but I think they would have been happier being turned away from here than going to see Cass.”
“You can say whatever you want to me, and you’re not wrong. They would’ve been happier here.”
Her fingers ran over mine, drawing small shapes. “So, from now on, we’ll all be together?”
“Yes, if that’s what you want.”
She nodded, a small tear forming in the corner of her eye. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you during these last few weeks.”
Gathering her close, I encouraged her to set her wineglass on the counter. My lips found her forehead, and I spoke quietly. “I deserved you shutting me out, but I told you I was going to fight for you. Now I did, and I want you back. All of you. Tyler and Piper and my kids as one.”
Her lips found mine. Our mouths lingered together as she said, “It’s always been you, Aston. Always.” She didn’t give me a chance to answer, kissing me harder, opening her mouth to me.
“Slow down,” I told her, bringing our foreheads together.
“Why? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, absolutely not. I just need to slow for a minute to tell you it’s always been you for me too. Always.” I repeated her words to her, but it was the truth. “I love you. I know it was my fault that we were cheated out of many years, but we’re here now, together, and I want this. More than anything.”
“Me too.” Her reply was soft, but urgent in tone.
As her eyes ate up every inch of me, I felt myself morphing from nice guy to caveman. I wanted that look to be for me, and only me.
