“That’s Sheila.” Daniel’s voice was soft in her ear as he nodded in the direction of the swing.
Annika nodded as she walked with him, though she tried to ignore how good it felt to hold his hand. They approached the porch, and Daniel dropped her hand as he approached Sheila. Sheila stood and held her bundle out to him. Annika’s heart nearly stopped when she realized what was happening.
“Is that a baby?” There was no hiding her smile or her astonishment as she looked from Daniel to Sheila. “Oh—hi, I’m Annika.” She held out her hand to Sheila.
Sheila nodded, a warm smile filling her face. “I know. Nice to finally meet you.” She side-eyed Daniel. “You got him?”
Daniel nodded. Sheila stepped back. “I’ll just be inside.” She squeezed Daniel’s shoulder and went into the house.
Daniel beamed at Annika. “This is Aaron. My godson.” He stepped closer to her so she could see. “This is who I wanted you to meet.”
She covered her mouth with her hands even as joyful tears blurred her vision. “You’re holdingSheila’sbaby.” She shook her head. “And you voluntarily walked into that school building.”
“I am. And I did.” He looked at her with a mixture of pride and apprehension as he rocked slightly, keeping the baby calm.
“Wait—did you saygodson? As in you agreed to be his godfather?” Her heart rate quickened. He was looking at her with those eyes and that smile andhe was bouncing a baby. Was there really anything sexier than that?
“Yes.”
“Oh, Daniel.” She started to throw her arms around him, but stopped, awkwardly freezing mid-almost-hug. “I’m so proud of you—for getting help.” She dropped her arms.
“It was your dad. Came to see me.” His eyes never left her, as if he were afraid she’d run off the first chance she got. “You never said anything. About your other brother.”
“It never seemed like the right moment.”
Daniel nodded in understanding. He held Aaron out toward Annika. “Want to hold him?”
“Thought you’d hog him the whole time.” She held out her arms.
Daniel handed Aaron to her, and Annika tried desperately to ignore how much she was enjoying Daniel’s proximity. Not to mention that she craved him even more when his hand brushed against hers. He did not step back after handing Aaron to her. If anything, he leaned in closer, as if he was trying to look at Aaron. Maybe he was. “Babies look good on you.” His voice was soft, husky, as if he were telling her a secret.
Aaron cooed and wiggled, and she had to admit he felt good in her arms. She felt Daniel’s gaze but could not look up at him. “What’s all this about, Daniel?”
His finger touched the bottom of her chin, tilting her head up, so she had to look at him. “I’m sorry for hurting you. Leaving you in the hospital that day...when Nilay was hurt.” He shook his head, clearly disgusted with himself. “It was selfish. Inexcusable. I’m surprised you’re even here with me now.”
He swallowed hard, studying her face. She was mesmerized by his every movement, his words.
Aaron wiggled, and Annika shifted to get a better hold of him. He let out an adorable gurgle, and Annika looked at the baby, giggling as he made spit bubbles. She turned back to Daniel, only to find him watching her, a vulnerability in his face she’d never seen before. “You decided all on your own that you weren’t enough for me.”
“You know, it was Aaron’s birth that made me realize Icouldbe helped. But it was you—you’re the reason I wanted to be part of life again.”
Annika’s breath caught, but she didn’t really have time to think as Daniel leaned in toward her, his gaze on her lips, and against everything she knew was wise, she tilted her head up to him, her lips finally meeting his, as if they’d been searching for each other forever. His kiss was soft and gentle, a question rather than a statement, and somehow infused with hope. Her whole body relaxed and gave in to him, asking the same question. Aaron gurgled again, startling her away from Daniel, but he stayed put, his laugh still on her lips. He turned his gaze to Aaron but then met her eyes with something like a promise.
“I have never stopped loving you. I know it’s not fair after all this time, after what I did, but I had to tell you—I had to see if you still loved me, too.”
Annika could not speak. There was so much to process, so much to feel all at the same time. She needed to think.
Sadness or disappointment flickered in Daniel’s eyes at her silence, but he quickly replaced it with hope and amusement. “That’s a lot for me to lay on you.” He treated her to a smile. “Let me get Aaron back to his mother, and I’ll take you to your car.”
“Yeah, sure.” She handed the baby to Daniel and stepped back. “He’s beautiful.”
The conversation in the car on the way home was easy and comfortable. Almost as if months hadn’t passed. It was as though they decided to pretend that Daniel hadn’t just proclaimed his love for her and she had said nothing.
He pulled up next to her car at the school. She waited a moment, stalling, but couldn’t think of one thing to say to prolong her time with him. She quickly thanked him and got out.
Daniel leaned toward the open window. “See you soon?”
“Yeah, sure.” Wow! Wasn’t she full of words today? One kiss from Daniel and her brain became mush. “I have the wedding—Naya’s getting married. Did you hear?”
