Dad nods thoughtfully. “That’s a tough schedule. Especially with a young daughter.”
“It is,” Aidan agrees. “But it provides well for us, and I get proper time with her when I’m home.”
I squeeze his hand under the table, grateful for his candid responses. He’s not defensive or apologetic. Just honest.
“And how do you manage the time apart?” Dad continues. “With Lucy, I mean.”
I open my mouth to intervene, but Aidan beats me to it.
“It’s a challenge,” Aidan replies. “But I’ve been lucky. Lucy’s incredibly understanding about my schedule. We make the most of the time we have together.”
I feel a rush of warmth at his words, at the way he speaks about us with such certainty. There’s no hesitation, noawkwardness in how he claims our relationship in front of my family.
“And what about long term?” Dad presses, swirling his whisky.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Aidan admits. “There are some local positions I’ve been looking at. Less money, but home every night.” His eyes find mine. “Seems like a fair trade.”
My heart skips. This is the first I’m hearing about this. He’s been thinking about a job change? For us?
“Good man,” Dad says with an approving nod, and I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Knox clears his throat. “And Isla? How’s she handling all this?”
“She adores Lucy,” Aidan answers simply. “And Lucy’s amazing with her.”
I could cry. I want to cry. My heart is full in a way I didn’t even know was possible. I want to lean over, in front of everyone, and kiss him. Right now. I want him to feel what I feel, to know that every ounce of me is right here, entirely his.
I love him. I love him so much it hurts.
“SWOON.” Bree fans herself. “Tell me I’m not the only one melting right now.”
I can’t help the laugh that slips out. Even with her teasing, there’s a warmth in her eyes that makes me smile. Bree is Callan’s match in the way they always cut through discomfort with humor.
“You’re glowing, Lucy,” she adds, grinning at me.
I shake my head. “I’m just…happy.”
“And you should be,” Bree says, softer now.
“Well, looks like you’re stuck with her now, mate.” Callan smirks. “I mean, if she’s got you feeling all soft and gooey inside, there’s no turning back.”
Aidan gives him an amused look, but he doesn’t miss a beat. “I can live with that.”
Knox clears his throat, drawing Aidan’s attention. “Speaking of being stuck with her,” he says, his voice deceptively casual, “you should know that if you ever hurt her, there’s a whole lot of us who know exactly how to make sure no one finds your body.”
“Knox!” Juliette gasps, her hand flying out to smack his shoulder with shocking force. “For god’s sake!”
Aidan, to my complete surprise, just chuckles. “I’d expect nothing less,” he says, looking over his shoulder to where Isla is still playing with the twins. “I’d do the same for Isla.”
Knox gives a small nod, seeming to accept his response.
I glance at Aidan again, my hand still firmly clasped in his, and an irrepressible smile spreads across my face. Whatever comes next, whatever storms we might face, I know we’ve already found something worth holding onto.
thirty-two
LUCY
I’ve been on cloud nine since that dinner with my family. Aidan left for another rotation shortly after that, and I’ll always miss him when he’s gone, but everything is as perfect as it could be.
