She lowered her face and kissed me slow and sweet, then, nipping my lip gently, she raised her head. “I know this is probably a mood killer, but have you checked on Imogen?”
“Yeah, she’s fine,” I assured her. “I told Cash I’d go over and get her after breakfast. Ma’s been on my back; she’s not happy I let Imogen have a sleepover when she could have babysat. I fuckin’ swear, between my mam and now Wilder taking a shine to my girl, I’m gonna see her even less.”
Rosie’s eyes danced with humor. “She’s well loved.”
My heart swooped because Rosie was right. After a less-than-ideal start, Imogen had found her place and everybody loved her.
“So I’m guessing Maeve and Callum got back from their honeymoon okay?” Rosie asked. “How’s Maeve doing?”
I’d told Rosie about the pregnancy and made her promise to keep it quiet. The last thing I needed was for Maeve’s news to get around before the happy couple had the chance to announceit themselves. Callum would know exactly who’d opened their mouth because he’d only blabbed to one person.
Me.
“I think she’s tired. When I went to the bar last night, Cal had left her asleep upstairs in their apartment. He didn’t mention much else about it. Though I’m guessing we’ll be getting an excited phone call from Ma soon. Callum won’t be able to keep it under wraps for much longer.”
Rosie planted her cheek on my chest and sighed happily at the sensation of my fingers running up and down her back. “The first trimester can be the hardest for some women,” she mused. “Your body diverts all your nutrients to the baby, so it can be exhausting.”
“Were you like that?” I asked.
“No. I was eighteen when I fell pregnant with DJ. I could have worked all day and partied all night, and I never suffered from any sickness with him. It was the same with Gabby; though with her, I felt a bit of nausea but nothing serious, and only for a couple of days. I think it’s easier when you’re young.”
I lifted my hand to the back of her head and sifted her hair through my fingers. “Would you have any more kids?”
She turned her head to face me, her eyes lifting to mine. “Yeah, I’d like another baby if the circumstances were right. Though I’d have to be in a committed relationship. I may as well have been a single mom with my two. Although Evan and I were together at the beginning, he was hardly home, and then I threw him out for real when Gabby was still a baby.” Her eyes clouded over at the memory. “I hated not sharing the milestones with a partner. I remember my girl taking her first step, and there was nobody to tell. I cried for hours.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, running my fingers gently through her hair.
“It's okay.” She smiled. “It wasn’t like Evan was some great loss. It just would’ve been nice to have someone there to share the big moments with.” Rosie’s cheek rested against my chest again, and she asked, “Do you want more kids. I guess not now you’ve got Imogen.”
“I’d love another one,” I answered. “Especiallynow I’ve got Imogen.”
She turned her face and looked up at me again. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’m gutted about how much I missed,” I admitted. “I’m not saying Charlene and I would have got together, but I would’ve liked to have been involved in the pregnancy and the birth. I imagine she went through a lot, and I could’ve been there for her. I just wish she’d picked up the phone and given me a chance. It’s something I’d like to experience, you know?”
She smiled up at me and nodded.
I dipped my chin and fixated on her soulful, dark brown eyes. “While we’re talking about this, I should point out that I wanna be young enough to chase my kids around the park, Ro. Is that something you’re up for?”
“What timescales are you thinking?” she asked.
“I guess it’ll have to happen within the next couple of years, baby, not just for my sake, but for yours too.”
Her eyebrows pulled together. “Is that what you really want?”
I grinned. “More than anything.”
“With me?” she prompted.
“There’s no other woman in this world who I’d want to carry my baby, Posy. I dunno if you’re clued into this, but now I’ve found you, I’m kinda done with screwing around. I just wish I’d had the guts to face up to my feelings three years ago instead of wasting time.”
“I knew,” she told me. “I should have persevered instead of running away. I bought into your reputation instead of going with my gut.”
I cupped her cheek and slid my thumb across her lips. “I love the sentiment, baby, but you were right to leave. I wasn’t in the headspace for you back then. I think being with you that night was what started to change things for me, but it took me a while to get there, and I wouldn’t have strung you along while I went through the changes I needed to make. Deep down, I knew what I was letting go of, but I had to take the risk. I think my soul needed to miss you, so when we found our way back to each other, I knew. And I did, Ro, even before I recognized you at the wedding, I felt it. I felt you.”
Her eyes softened, and she smiled. “See? It wasn’t so hard to let me in, was it?”
I clasped her waist and pulled her up my body until our faces were level, wrapping my arms tight around her. “I think I needed last night to happen, baby. I was putting it off because I knew it was the final piece of the puzzle. Then you lost your patience with me, and I knew I had to shit or get off the pot. You’re mine and I’m yours; there’s no going back now. You’re too good for me in a lot of ways, but the thought of you with anyone else fucks with my head, so it means I’ve gotta become better if I want to be the man who deserves you. If you say you need more from me, I’ve gotta find a way to give it to you.”
