“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Home.”
Chapter 12
Haden
We arrived at the home Della had finished building for us. She was watching me closely, taking in my reaction. The last time I was here, it was torture because I could not enjoy it, thinking I would not get to live there with her.
“You’ve already seen it.” She smiled. “Please tell me what you think about it.”
I gripped her hand in mine and felt my throat burn with emotions. “This is the most meaningful thing you could have ever done for me, Storm. You made it so much better than I ever would have.”
She squeezed my hand and smiled. Her gaze moved around the area. “It’s so strange being here and remembering a life with you that seemed like so long ago.”
Grief tugged inside of me. There would always be a part of me that longed for our life from before. Where would we be in life if I hadn’t been killed?
“It was short, but that was a good life.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and tugged her into me. “I love you; let's go make some new memories.”
We walked into the house together, and we both stood in the entrance, taking in the feeling of coming here after so long. This is where we should have always been, here, together.
Della smiled as she looked around. I realized how clean the home was.
“Did you come and clean?”
She laughed softly. “That would be your father, Henry. Since he retired, he has been driving your mother nuts. He helped me learn how to build the home, and he cleans it for me—for us.”
I swallowed hard. I loved my family, and if they had been my actual parents, then I would have been a man worthy of Della. There would be no bad parts to me.
“How are my lovely parents doing?”
“They miss you.” She swallowed hard. “Maybe we can have them over for dinner in the next few days.”
“Actually, I think we should go there. I miss their home.”
She nodded. Della and I set down our bags and immediately gravitated to the kitchen. I smiled when I saw food already made.
“You made me food.” Della was fidgeting nervously as I stared at her before she nodded slightly. “You can’t cook.”
She had tried before and had burnt everything she ever tried to make. I glanced at her, and her cheeks flushed.
“I wanted to learn. It used to make me feel good when you did things for me, like cook or start a bath, so I was hoping it would make you happy too.”
Her words made my chest squeeze with love. Gods, I fucking loved Della with everything I possessed. I smiled at her and stepped toward her so I could kiss her.
“This makes me very happy, Storm.”
“Well, hopefully it tastes alright. I had your parents teach me a couple of times, and they didn’t ever turn out.” Della laughed, and the noise warmed me from deep in my chest. I swallowed hard as my eyes took in everything about her. She looked so happy, and I realized that was all I needed to be happy too.
I sat down when Della did. I could see her happiness shining in her eyes. I made her happy, and that made me so fucking happy that someone found me so worthy to love.
“Don’t hold back if it tastes terrible.”
I took a bite and groaned at how good it was. Della didn’t eat; she watched me with a smile. “You’re a natural.”
“No, I’m not. I burnt the first steaks I tried to make before I came to get you. This was the second attempt,” she laughed carelessly. “I also had to remake the bread twice.”
I chuckled as I watched her try a bite, seeming surprised with herself.
