I swallow and slowly open the door.
“Because it isn’t my home office anymore.”
She steps inside…and freezes.
A soft gasp slips from her lips.“Ethan…”
Her hands lift to her mouth as she turns in a slow, disbelieving circle.
The pale pink walls now hold hand-painted scenes of Mia’s favorite princesses. Painted snowflakes that glitter beneath the fairy lights draped across the ceiling.
In the center of the room is a small princess bed, white and gold, with the softest comforter I could find. A fluffy crown-shaped rug rests beside it. Above the headboard hang wooden letters spelling MIA, painted in glittery silver. “I made those.” I point at them.
Against the far wall sits a tiny wooden table with two chairs, one for Mia, one for Summer, covered in coloring books and crayons.
“Ethan…” Summer says again, breathless.
I step behind her, gently taking her hands.
“I started transforming this room the day you first kissed me,” I confess softly.“The day I knew you’d give me a chance.”
Her breath hitches.
“I wanted you and Mia here then,” I say, voice low.“And I want it even more now.”
She turns to me, tears running down her cheeks.“Isn’t this too soon?”
“Is there a timestamp for living together?” I cup her chin between my thumb and finger, searching her eyes.“I love you. I love Mia. Every night when I have to walk away from the both of you, I feel torn. Empty. Like I want to drive back and beg you to come with me.”
I lean my forehead against hers.“Please move in with me. Let me hold you every night. Let me fill this house with everything that makes you and Mia feel safe. Let me be the happiest I’ve ever been, baby. Say yes.”
She looks into my eyes, one second, two, fear still flickering… until something else replaces it. Something warm. Something sure.
“I miss you every night too,” she whispers.
I cradle her face and kiss her, soft at first, then deeper when she melts against me.
“So you’re saying yes?” I murmur, smiling into her lips.
“Yes,” she breathes.
A rush of relief floods me. I pull her into my chest, holding her tight, anchoring her as her emotions break free. I kiss the top of her head, arms wrapped around her like I have no intention of ever letting go.
“You belong here,” I whisper into her hair.“With me. You and Mia. And no one, ever, will take you away from me.”
Her fingers clutch the back of my shirt, and I feel the tension leave her body, bit by bit, melting into me.
And in that moment, I know…we’ll face everything together.
Every fear.
Every threat.
Every storm.
Because I’m not letting her go.
Not now.
