She’s so worn down, I’m not sure how long she’ll give me to fight for her. I crouch before her and collect her hands in mine.
“I never wanted you living in my world, and I didn’t think I could live in yours. But I was wrong. As long as I’m with you, I’m good anywhere.”
“You’d give it all up?”
“And more,” I tell her truthfully. “I should’ve given it up when I found out you were pregnant.” Kissing her knuckles, I dare to look up into her eyes, hoping I see my girl staring back. The way she used to look at me.
“I love you, Amelia, I need you. You and Elsa are everything to me. Everything.”
“You said…”
“All the shit I said up till the letters, forget. I have been waiting for you to come home to make it right. I can and will be the man you deserve.”
“You said a lot to me before you first sent me away, why would I trust you this time? I lost nearly two years of my life because I met you.”
Losing my shit, I yell, “You think I don’t know that? You don’t think I’ve not beat myself up every day that you were gone? Don’t tell me about what you’ve lost, I’ve fucking felt it right along with you. Every time I had to look at our daughter and see you in her eyes and know that she wasn’t with you because of my world… my old world. The only thing I should’ve done differently was keep you so close nothing could’ve touched you. I’m not going to let anything touch you again. I fucking swear it.”
Her tears fall freely, and I cross the room to her, wrapping her tightly in my arms.
“I’m not going to let you down again, you’ve gotta believe me. I’m all in, for you, all you. No one owns me the way you do. What do you need me to do to prove it to you, what have I gotta do for you to believe I love you?”
She pulls away from me and stares so hard I feel her seeping into my soul. Deeper than she already is.
“You’ve never told me that before.”
Sweeping my thumb over her tear tracks, I say, “I’ve never told anyone that before. You’re the only one I’ve fallen for andyou’re the only one I’ll ever feel this way about. I love you, Amelia, and I will for the rest of my life.”
“You were right, we couldn’t work because we’re from two different worlds…”
“There’s only one world now, our world. I’m not going anywhere, you’re mine and I’m completely yours. Trust it. Trust me. Give me time to prove myself.”
She closes her eyes for a moment before settling back on me.
“I wrote you those letters so you would think we were all good, and then I planned to take Elsa from you. I wanted you to feel everything I did and worse. You still think you love me?”
It didn’t cross my mind that was what she was up to, but it makes sense now.
“It gave you something to focus on, ay. I don’t blame you. I think you did what you needed to do to get by. It doesn’t change how I feel about you. We need to put everything behind us and live how we want to.”
“I…” Her brows knit together but I need her to be clear on this.
“I’ve fucked up when it comes to you, I’ve pushed you away, I’ve done everything wrong, but not anymore.” Sliding my hand into her hair, I grip hard and make sure she’s listening. “I’m going to work your father’s job. I’ll provide everything you and Elsa will need, I’ll look after my family and live in your world. Give me a chance.”
I didn’t plan on him flipping every plan I’ve made upside down.
“I’ve loved you for so long, and I hated it. I’m done hating everything.”
“Yeah? So we’re doing this?”
Every second it takes her to answer, my fear I’ll lose her forever grows.
“Yeah, as long as you keep your word.”
Leaning in, I press my mouth to hers and claim what I should’ve a long time ago. Standing, I pull her up with me and lift her in my arms.
“Since us together last night wasn’t real to you, I’m about to make itrealreal for you.”
Lying her down on the bed, I hover above her and she whispers, “It was real for me, it’s always been real when I’m with you.”
