He grins. “Hell, yes. You’d be the best mum. And I’d get to knock dad jokes out of the park.” He leans over, kisses me, and murmurs, “Mwah,” dramatically into my mouth.
I giggle, and the heaviness in my chest lifts a little.
Colt’s mood has shifted entirely. He’s lighter now, grounded. He feels like mine again.
“Do you think maybe we could visit Anna tomorrow?” I ask.
His brows pull together, eyes narrowing just a little. “Are you sure? Maybe it’s better if I take Aston out with Johnny, and you talk to her one-on-one.”
“No. I want to see her. I miss her. She’s my best friend, and she’s just had her first child. That’s huge. I need to show up, even if it does hurt.”
He studies me for a beat. Then nods. “I’m proud of you.”
“Don’t be yet,” I mutter. “Let me actually follow through first. I still might bolt.”
“No, you won’t. You’re stronger than you think, Dee.”
I curl into him, his arms a safe harbor around me. He rests his hand over my stomach again like he’s shielding the wound from the world.
For hours, we lie like this—his hand never leaving me, like he’s anchoring me, holding my heart together from the outside.
And maybe he is.
I didn’t see it before, but now I do.
Even when Colt held back truths, even when we hurt each other, Colt was always trying to protect me. I nearly lost him today, and instead, we’re here, talking about marriage, babies, and a life that stretches wide in front of us.
Colter Slade surprises me every damn day.
And I can’t wait to be his wife.
Chapter Eleven
DEE
The Next Day
Colt called Anna and Johnny to see if it was okay for us to visit. Apparently, they are over the moon at the thought of us coming to see them, but at the same time, hesitant. They don’t want to set me back, which is what I think we’re all worried about.
But I am going to try.
I need to put my own selfish problems behind me and be there for my friends.
On the way to their manor, we stop at the local shops to buy Anna some flowers and Johnny a celebratory box of cigars. Even though we should probably buy something for Aston, when we get to the baby section, I keep walking —well, hobbling—on my crutches. Colt doesn’t say anything, just keeps walking beside me.
Not long later, we head up their driveway, and I’m trying to make sense of my emotions. I’m excited to see them, but nervous about how I left things at the hospital in New Jersey. Not to mention, I’ll be meeting baby Aston in a matter of moments, which scares me the most. I’m trying so hardnotto let it get the better of me. I keep reminding myself that Anna has just had her firstborn, so I need to show up for her and that this isn’t about me.
Colt reaches across and takes my hand without a word. I glance over, smiling at the gesture. He knows me. He knows what I need. Colt winks as he pulls into the parking spot by the front door.
I exhale loudly, and he frowns.
“You know we don’t have to do this if you’re not up to it. They will understand,” Colt reassures me, lifting my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.
Clearing my throat, I turn to him. “No. I need to tell Anna how sorry I am. We need to be here. I want to do this, Colt.”
He nods and gets out of the car, circling to open my door. He grabs my crutches from the backseat and hands them to me as I ease out. “I’m proud of you, Dee. You never stop surprising me,” he says as I steady myself on the gravel.
I nod once in thanks, my heart rate picking up. Colt closes the door, grabs the gifts, and walks beside me to the front entrance.
