I do as he says and look at the mirror, I see him bring his mouth to my stomach.
Then he kisses every stretch mark on my skin, whispering between each kiss,
“These brought your beautiful girl into the world.”
Kiss.
“These mean strength.”
Kiss.
“These are never ugly.”
Kiss.
“These are marks of a good mother.”
Kiss…
My knees weaken. Tears fall freely.
He rises and gathers me against him.
“I see a gorgeous, smart, strong woman who makes me burn,” he murmurs against my skin.
“Eyes like a summer sky…”
“Lips like cherries…”
“These…”
He lifts my breasts gently.“These might kill me, they’re so beautiful.”
“This heart…” His hand rests there.“This big, wild, brave heart called to mine the second I saw you.”
Tears keep streaming down my face as he kisses them away.
“And these hips…” he breathes, voice molten.“Were made for me to hold on to.”
“Oh God…” The words fall out of me.
He turns me and looks at me in the mirror.
“What do you see, Summer?”
I look.
“Me,” I whisper.
His face softens.
“Never doubt I want you,” he murmurs, kissing another tear from my cheek.
“Let me erase him. Every memory. Let me replace them with mine.”
Something inside me gives way.
“Ethan…”
