Riley
He looks at me, not making a sound.
“Us.” I squeeze his hands, still on my stomach. “Something that’s just ours,” I say before a sob can break my voice. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? For what?”
“I didn’t know…I didn’t know.”
“Everything’s alright, Riley. Everything’s okay. I’m here, okay?”
“Are you mad? Upset? Is this too much for you?”
Her voice is quivering. “Do you have any idea how I feel right now? Do you know how much I fucking love you?”
“Ian, I…”
“Shh,” he squeezes me tighter. “You don’t have to say anything. Just tell me you’ll stay. Because I love you, Riley. I love you so much it hurts my heart. I love you so much I can’t sleep at night and can’t think of anything else. I’ve loved you from that first damn night, always. I have loved you every fucking day…”
I lift my eyes.
“I can handle anything except losing you.”
“You won’t lose me,” I whisper through my tears.
“You’re here, with me…You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. You’re the only thing I’ve ever had in my hands…”
Ian holds me tightly to his chest. I take in his scent like it’s a drug, my medicine, and let him cradle me, kiss me. Take everything away and give me himself back.
He lies down next to me and I curl up in his arms.
“Are you okay? Is everything alright?”
“We’re both fine.” Saying it out loud fills me with emotion.
He hugs me, resting my back against him. Then he puts his hands under my sweatshirt and gently touches my skin.
“My…my own child…” his voice breaks.
His control breaks.
Ian O’Connor breaks.
But I’m here to help get him back on his feet.
I let my hands rub his as I hear him crying over my shoulder. His tears wet my skin and penetrate my heart, quenching it and letting it bloom again with hope and love.
“Stay here,” he kisses my neck. “Stay here with me.”
I look up. His eyes are tired, immense and swollen.
“Both of you.”
I touch his beard and another tear falls.
“I love you Riley. I love you so much I’d break apart the entire world just to put it back together for you, brick by brick, with my own hands.”
“Ian…”
