“She is with Serena in the living room.” Sierra walks away from the coffee machine and comes over to hug me. “Nat told us what happened. I am so sorry, Leo.” She pats her small baby bump while squeezing my hand. “I can’t begin to imagine what Natalia must have been through. My heart breaks for her.” Tears pool in her eyes. “For both of you.”
Pain eviscerates every part of me on the inside, and I swallow over the lump in my throat. I nod, unable to find words. Ben slides up behind his wife, pulling her back into his chest. We exchange silent words over her head. Ben is trusting me to make this right with Nat and to comfort her because I know the events of the last couple of days must have brought it all to the surface for her again.
I walk off in the direction of the living room, needing to hold my woman.
“Leo.” Natalia’s gorgeous blue eyes pop wide when she sees me. She is sitting on the couch with Serena, drinking wine. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I know I said I needed time, but I was wrong.” I stride across the room as quick as my legs will carry me and bend down to kiss her. “I just need to be with you.” Taking the glass from her hand, I put it on the end table, and then I lift her up. She squeals as I hold her while plonking down in her seat, situating her on my lap. I wrap my arms around her, nuzzling her neck. “That’s better.”
Serena smiles softly. “I am unbelievably sorry for what happened with the baby, but I am so glad you two found your way back to one another. I’m happy you finally get to be together. You both deserve it.”
“Thanks, Rena. But we’re not out of the woods yet. I won’t fully believe it until the divorce comes through,” Nat says.
“Believe it, babe.” I press a kiss to her temple. “I don’t care what that fucker tries to pull. He is not taking you from me again. No one is.”
She turns her head so she’s staring at me, and her gaze snares me. She is so goddamn beautiful. And I can’t wait to properly make her mine. “I love you.” She kisses the corner of my mouth.
“Not as much as I love you.” I peck her lips, conscious we have company and we need to talk.
“You two are so adorable.” Serena stands, smiling wistfully. “I’m rooting for you.” She walks off, leaving us alone.
“How are you holding up?” I ask, clasping her face in my hands.
“I’m doing okay.”
“And the boys?”
“Joshua is sad. Caleb is so angry and refusing to accept the drugs are an issue, but at least they both want to be with me. I couldn’t bear it if they’d said they wanted to go and live with their dad.”
“They love you and want to protect you. That was very obvious the other day.” I caress her cheek with my thumb. “Did they say anything about me?”
“Not much, but I don’t think they are opposed to us. They want me to be happy.”
“Good.” I am planning on having a little talk with them tomorrow. “I’m sorry for walking out last night. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
“I understand, Leo, and I was fine. It gave Ben and me a good opportunity to talk.” Her eyes lower, and a veil of sadness glides across her face.
“All day, I kept thinking, if things had turned out differently, our kid would be ten now.” Pain spears across my chest.
“I know,” she whispers, burying her head in my chest. “I used to wonder whether it was a boy or a girl and whether they would look like you or me or be a combination of both of us.”
I reposition her on my lap, tilting her face up because I need to be looking at her when I say this. “I know it can’t make up for the pain of our loss. That we will always feel it, but I want babies with you, Nat.” I open my heart and tell her everything I’m feeling. “I want everything with you. Marriage. Our own house. Filled with the twins and our kids and lots of laughter.” I press my mouth to hers. “I want to give you everything you have been denied and everything your heart desires.” It’s not a proposal, because I want to do that right, but I’m giving her a heads-up it is on the way. As soon as she is no longer tied to that bastard.
“I thought you were never getting married.”
“So did I because the only woman I have ever wanted to marry is you.”
A squeal emits from the direction of the door, and we whip our heads around, to find Sierra and Ben in the doorway.
“Nosy much?” I narrow my eyes at my boss and best friend.
“We didn’t mean to eavesdrop. We were just passing,” Sierra says. “But, gosh! That was so romantic, Leo." She slaps a hand over her chest, and her eyes are suspiciously glossy. "One of the swooniest things I have ever heard.”
“Ahem.” Ben clears his throat. “I’m pretty sure I have him beat.”
She swats his chest. “Don’t steal Leo’s thunder. He has been waiting a long time for this.”
Ben lifts Sierra up into his arms. “I wouldn’t dream of it, and let’s give them privacy. We are retiring early. Good night.” They walk off.
