Seth nodded, his throat tight. “You’re right. I let fear choke me. I didn’t know how to let it go.”
Beck turned, his expression somewhere between closed and inscrutable. “And now?”
Pressing a kiss to Heavenly’s palm, he released her and stood. He knew what the surgeon was asking. “I’m in. All the way. Let’s do this.” He began working at the buttons of his dress shirt, toeing off his shoes at the same time. “Tonight.”
“Really?” she whispered. “Now?”
His fingers dropped to the fly of his dress pants. “Right now.”
“Hold up,” Beck barked, shifting to put himself between Seth and Heavenly. “After weeks of balking, you’re ready? Just like that?”
Seth froze, fingers pausing. Yeah, he should have known Beck would want guarantees. “You gave me an ultimatum. I’m giving you an answer. So yeah. Just like that.”
Beck’s eyes turned hard, searching. “You’re totally in…or just for the night?”
“Totally in,” Seth replied, zero hesitation.
“You swear on your father’s grave?”
That pissed him off. “Leave my father out of this. I said I’m in. Accept it or not.”
“You’re a stubborn son of a bitch. Capitulation isn’t your style,” Beck pointed out. “Where did you go? What changed your mind?”
Jesus, he’d turned himself inside out in an hour and given in without stipulations or conditions. And Beck wanted to challenge him? “Does it matter? I figured you’d rather get Heavenly pregnant than play twenty questions. Did you change your mind?”
“Don’t fuck with me. You know the stakes. Once we go down this path, I don’t care if you get scared again. You can’t back out. You get that, right?”
“Of course I get it. I’ve been a father.”
Beck nodded slowly. “And if Heavenly wants marriage?”
“Absolutely. I’m not sure how that will work with my mother or the law, but committing isn’t my issue. I’ve wanted that since day one. It’s the fear of something happening to Heavenly or our kids that scares me.” He swallowed hard. “After Autumn and Tristan, I lived for revenge. Offing Silas gave me a hollow victory, not the closure I expected. After that, I plodded through one numb day after the next. When well-meaning people like my mother asked, I’d swear I was fine and reassure them with plastic smiles and counterfeit laughs. I didn’t think about the future because…what did I have left? I’d defined myself by my roles for so long. But I wasn’t a husband, a father, or a cop anymore. I lost most of my friends…and all of my self-respect. I was fucking alone—except the two tons of guilt on my chest, slowly suffocating me.
“Then…I saw you, Heavenly. At the hospital the terrible morning Raine killed Bill. One glance, and I not only fell, but I had purpose again.”
Beck snorted. “Yeah. Fighting with me for the right to touch her.”
“That kept me so blinded, I didn’t think about what the future looked like.” Seth cupped Heavenly’s cheek. “You asked me earlier if you’re worth it. Angel, you’re beyond worth it, and you should know that. I uprooted my existence and left my family to be with you. I’d lay down my life for you. I’m facing all my fears for you.”
“I know.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she nuzzled into his hand. “Thank you.”
She pulled away with a kiss to his palm before she sent Beck a beseeching glance. The surgeon sent a sharp nod back, and she flashed him a smile.
Thank god they’d accepted his explanation. Seth nearly sagged with relief.
Heavenly shouldered her way between them and laid a soft hand on his chest. His whole body tightened as he gave in to his urge to draw her closer. “Angel?”
“I know another tragic loss isn’t impossible, but your job, that case… That’s not your life anymore. You’re here now—different line of work, different coast, different people. This time, you have Beck and me, not to mention all our friends. Since they risked their lives to protect us when Beck’s family attacked, I know they’d do anything to keep our children safe.”
She was right. Whatever came next, whatever problems they had, his circumstances had changed. And he wasn’t alone. He had Beck and Heavenly, and they’d face everything together.
Seth looked at Heavenly—really looked—taking in the hope and love radiating from her, despite the tears she’d shed for him. “No more roadblocks. No more hesitating. I’m here—if you’re sure.” He paused, memories of Autumn’s collapse under the weight of motherhood flashing through his mind. “And you’re aware that a baby will change your life forever. School will be harder. Growing your career may take longer. That travel you wanted?—”
“We’ll make it work.” Her soft voice carried conviction.
“A baby will change everything between us, too.”
“I know,” she assured him.
