Placing my fingers under his chin, I guide his gaze up to meet mine. "What is it?"
"Why didn't I tell somebody about that? I didn't tell my dad I saw him. I didn't tell the police." Emotion thickens his tone. "What if he was the murderer? What if I saw the guy who murdered my dad? What if me not saying anything helped him walk free? And then—" Alarm rakes over Hugo's face. "Maggie," he whispers.
"We don't know if they're connected. They might not be." I can't stand the way he's blaming his nine-year-old self.
"Two people are murdered the same way, in towns only two hours apart."
"Six years apart," I remind him. "Please don't blame yourself."
He nods, and my fingers under his chin move with him. "Promise me you won't think that anymore."
He holds silent for a beat before he says, "I promise."
Together we slide back down into bed. Hugo pulls the covers up over us. I turn away, my back pressed to his front. His hands wind around me, finding my belly.
"I love you both, you know that? You and Peanut."
"We love you back, Hugo."
"How do you know she loves me?" He's inserted a playfulness into his tone, a sure sign my words have soothed him. "She never lets me feel her kick."
"Because—oof."
Hugo stills. "Was thather?"
Another kick. Strong, like the one prior. Hugo makes a sound, a heavy breath like he can't believe it.
"She feels what I feel. All these chemicals of happiness, and love, she feels those. She hears your voice."
"I read about that," Hugo says, his voice suddenly sounding shy. "I've been looking through your baby books."
Of course he has. He'sHugo. The sweetest man I've ever met.
"We haven't talked a lot about the future, but we need to. I know you have a life in Phoenix, and my business is here. I can't move the olive orchard."
My breath hangs in my throat, and I wait.
"Mallory, will you stay here at Summerhill? Will you and Peanut move in with me? Permanently?"
My heart dances. Tears burn my eyes. But my brain has a hard time accepting his words. Peanut's father literally signed away his rights to her. How can it be that another man wants her so desperately? And me? "Do you know what you're asking, Hugo? I didn't think I could getpregnant in the first place, there's no guarantee I can get pregnant again. Do you really, truly understand what it is you're giving up?"
Hugo's hands move lower to my hips, and he urges me to roll over. When we're facing each other, our heads on the pillows, Hugo runs his fingers through my hair. "It seems that you, you beautiful, infuriating woman, are the one who doesn't understand." He takes my hand, places it over his heart. "You and Peanut are enough. You are everything. I won't be going without. In this situation, I am only gaining."
So many times I've cried the past few months, and it felt unnecessary. The tears that flow now deserve a place on the pillow they're landing on.
"You don't think it's too soon?"
He lifts my hand, lips skimming my knuckles. "If you don't mind, I'd rather skip the long beginning."
"You are so good to me, Hugo."
"I'll never stop being good to you, or Peanut. Never. You're my girls."
We are, aren't we? Hugo's girls.
I've never felt this perfect. This whole.
We fall asleep holding each other, my belly between us.
