“While I love being around everyone,” Kolt whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait to get you home to kiss you some more. I have years’ worth of catching up to do.”
My cheeks burn, “Kolt,” I admonish beneath my breath.
“Just saying how it is, trouble.”
The nickname still makes my heart do a little flip flop inside my chest. But it was okay, I could control how deep I let myself fall into this.
“But we will feed you first,” He continues, “then I’m having you for myself.”
I swallow and focus back on the room, finding Maya staring with a sweet little grin. She doesn’t say anything which I am grateful for and then we all tuck into the food Torin prepared. It tastes so good. Everything I’ve eaten these past few days has tasted amazing, to the point I wonder how I ever lived off warmed upleftovers and ramen. I could cook, I loved to cook but it was just something I lost.
Conversation flows and laughter is shared as the meal is devoured and even Rett and Kolt get into a joking match at some point, clearing the air some more between them, and by the time we gather our coats and put on our shoes, the light of day has disappeared and the moon now shines in a clear sky.
I’m not sure when the clouds cleared and the threat of snow passed, but it had and now the stars twinkle against the velvet black night, the sound of the ocean a calming lull that joins our steps through the frozen snow on the ground.
“Thank you,” I whisper, hoping not to wake a sleeping Ethan who is tucked in the cradle of Kolt’s arms, wrapped up in blankets Arryn and Maya pulled together to keep him warm for the walk home. They were wound all over his body and around his head to try stave off the chill which seemed to be working because he hasn’t stirred one bit.
“For what, baby?” Kolt asks, glancing to his son.
“Bringing me here tonight,” I sigh, “I needed it.”
“Anything, Ness.” He looks over, “I’ll give you anything you need.”
“I don’t want the world Kolt.” I tell him.
“I’d give it to you if you asked.” He answers so genuinely I truly believe him in this moment.
“Just be his father,” I say quietly, “Just be here.”
He nods, “Always.
The remainder of the walk is had in a comfortable kind of silence, our focus on not slipping on the ice beneath our feet and keeping our son from waking up. We make it back to the littlebungalow, frozen to the bone and get inside. The house is warm, thanks to Kolt fixing the boiler, and we go through to Ethan’s bedroom before either of us even attempt to make conversation.
Kolt sets up his bed, closing the curtains and pulling back the blankets while I go about gently undressing him, trying to keep him from waking fully while I change him and put on his pajamas. He wakes once but he’s so dozy he barely stirs and I’m able to transfer him into his bed, tucking him in with his favorite stuffed bear. Grabbing the monitor on the way out, I shut his door, and head through to the living room, collapsing onto the couch with a sigh.
Kolt is there a moment later, standing in the threshold of the door before he closes the gap between us.
“You look tired,” He comments.
“I am,” I admit with a sleepy smile, “it just hit.”
My brows tug low when I see him kneeling on the floor at my feet and then his hands go to my boots.
“It’s okay,” I try to pull my leg away, but he silences me with a stern look.
He unzips the boots and gently pulls them off, placing the pair to the side as his hands then go to the soles of my feet. The noise that comes out of my mouth can only be one of pure pleasure. His thumbs press into the bridge of my feet, kneading the muscles as he gently massages them.
“Your dress,” He mumbles, “you wore it that night in the cave.”
My eyes widen, surprised he remembers such a small detail, “Yes.”
“You seem shocked I remember,” He muses, rubbing my feet like a goddamn expert.
“Because I am,” I groan, flopping back on the couch.
“Why?” He laughs, “I’ll always remember the dress, especially when the memory that goes with it, is you riding your hand while you watched me.”
My breath catches in my throat.
