"What?"
"Stop apologizing for surviving, for feeling things, for being human."I catch her hand, hold it against my chest."You've got nothing to be sorry for."
Her eyes shine with unshed tears."I don't know how to do this."
"Do what?"
"Be with someone who..."She stops then tries again."Be with someone who cares.Who protects.Who doesn't make me feel like I'm drowning."
"Then we figure it out together."
"You keep saying that."
"Because I mean it."
She leans in and rests her forehead against mine.Just breathes.I let her take what she needs.
After a moment, she pulls back."What happens now?"
"What do you want to happen?"
"I want..."She hesitates."I want you to meet Warren.Properly.I want him to know you."
My chest tightens."You sure?"
"Yeah.I'm sure."She searches my face."Is that okay?I know it's fast.I know we're still figuring this out.But if you're staying, if you meant what you said about not going anywhere..."
"I meant it."
"Then I want my son to know you, to trust you, to see that you're safe."
Safe.The word lands heavy.Because I'm not safe.Not really.I'm a biker.A killer.Someone who solved her problem with violence.
But to Warren, maybe I can be safe.Maybe I can be the kind of man who protects instead of harms.
Maybe.
"Okay," I say quietly."When you're ready.When he's ready.I'll meet him properly."
Relief crosses her face."Thank you."
"Nothing to thank me for."
"There's everything to thank you for."
I don't know how to respond to that.So I just pull her close.Let her press against me.Let her take comfort in the steady beat of my heart.
We lie there for a while longer.Not talking.Just existing.Just being.
Eventually, she says, "We should probably get up.Face the world."
"Probably."
Neither of us moves.
Then my stomach growls, loud enough that she laughs.A real laugh, light and genuine.
"Come on," she says."Let's get you fed."
