“I always will,” I say instantly. And I mean it. I’d do anything for him. It’s like a visceral need I have to keep him safe.
“I know you would. I can feel it,” he says softly.
I nod my head, tilting it so I can kiss him gently on his temple.
“I’ve never felt this way before,” he confesses.
I close my eyes, letting that fact fill me up. “I know what you mean.”
“I’m scared.” Noah admits.
I turn my face so he can meet my eyes. He’s so beautiful in the setting sun. It’s reflecting those little hazel specks in his eyes so perfectly.
“You don’t have to be scared of me. Ever.”
“Notofyou. Oflosingyou,” he corrects.
I swallow deeply. “You don’t have to worry about that either. Not being with you this past year…was the hardest thing I had to do. There’s no way I want to relive that again.”
He nods his head. “I feel the same way. It really sucked.”
Tilting my head, I press my lips to his for a soft kiss, letting it send tingles through my body all the way to my feet.
“All because you ran away from me,” I shake my head, giving him a soft smile. “Now you know never to do that again.”
“I’ll always run back to you. I can’t help myself.” He smirks, brushing his nose against mine.
I can only hope he means that.
Because as great as this weekend was, I know deep down that I don’t deserve anything this great to last forever.
35
Noah
Something’s wrong with Paislee.
I’m not sure how I know, but I can just feel it.
“Shhh, you’re okay girl. You’re okay.” I bounce her the best way I know how, but nothing is calming her down.
“Brad!” I call out. “Brad, get in here.”
Not even a second later, he’s through the door. I can tell he woke up out of a dead sleep by the way his eyes are still red, and his hair is a mess. He stumbles over to us, getting in close to look at Paislee’s face.
“She’s been crying like this for about half an hour. I’ve tried to give her a bottle, rock her back to sleep, everything. She won’t calm down,” I say, barely pausing for a breath between words. I can’t gather my thoughts correctly. My heart is beating out of my chest as Brad takes her from me.
“Come here. Aw, baby girl. What’s wrong?” He picks her up and brings his hand up to her forehead. “She’s running hot. Fuck.”
“What do we do? Is she going to be okay?” The questions fall out in a spill.
“Noah, calm down. Let me think.” Brad paces the room, looking for Paislee’s soother.
“Here.” I step behind him, handing it over to him. He thanks me and tries to put it in her mouth but she knocks it out of his hand.
“Shit. Okay.” He runs his hand through his hair. “Fever, fussiness, and she’s not sleeping.” He racks his brain for symptoms. “Could be…” He thinks for a moment. “Dammit! I don’t know, it could be a million fucking things.”
Worry takes over as I look at her crying face. She’s so red. Fuck! It’s like she’s in pain.
