Kaia lives with me now, and waking up next to her every morning and falling asleep with her in my arms is a blessing I never imagined I’d ever have. And the baby growing inside her? The excitement to meet our son or daughter in a matter of months is unmatched.
I’ve spent countless nights wondering what they’ll look like and if they’ll be more like me or like Kaia. Either way, they’ll be a part of her. This woman who took me completely by surprise when she reached inside my chest and took my heart for herself. She’s the love of my life. The mother of my child. My future wife, because aside from welcoming our child into the world, there’s nothing I want more than to make Kaia my wife.
“Fi suggested Ezekiel,” she says.
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
Whatever horrified expression I’m wearing makes her laugh. “That was my reaction too.”
The breeze ruffles her chestnut hair and her eyes lift to the trees, the leaves rustling as the wind sweeps through.
Fuck…
She’s so beautiful.
Sometimes I look at her when she doesn’t realise and I have to catch myself. I still can’t believe I get to call her mine.How did I get so damn lucky?
I count my lucky stars she took me back after what I did. Even though the memory still makes me physically sick, we’ve moved past it and I’ve spent every day since makingsure she never regrets giving me her forgiveness.
“How about Willow, for a girl?” she asks, her gaze returning to me.
“Willow…” I try the name out on my lips, her suggestion makes me smile. “I like that. It’s beautiful.”
“I was also thinking, maybe, Jack if we have a boy.”
The thought of naming our son after one of my best friends has a lump clogging up my throat, the loss of him still so raw all these months later.
“I think it’s perfect, butterfly.” I take her hands in mine, leaning forward and resting my forehead against hers.
“Do you think we’ll be good parents?” she asks, the question catching me off guard.
I pull back. “Why do you ask that?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, I… I guess neither of us have had great examples at how to do this parenting thing. I just worry sometimes we’ll be likethem.”
“Not a chance, butterfly.”
She chews on her lip. “How can you be so sure?”
I reach up to stroke her cheek, guiding her eyes to mine. “You have the kindest, purest heart. You’re incredible with Jasmine, I’ve seen the two of you. You dote on her. You have so much love to give and I don’t doubt for a second you’re gonna be an amazing mom. Our parents might not have set a good example on what it means to be a parent, but you know what? One thing we can thank them for, is for showing us hownotto do it.”
Kaia’s father made a full recovery and so far, he’s stayed true to his word and held up his side of our bargain.
Allie got her job back at the station. Collins was given the boot and ordered to hand back his badge after it wasfound there had been‘errors’during the election and after a recount, it was found Walker had in fact won the vote and was reinstated with immediate effect.
He and Kaia’s mom check in with her every week or two, never pushing too hard and respecting the boundaries she’s set.
“There will never be another kid on this planet who’s loved more than ours. I’m gonna be the best father to our baby. Starting with this…” I pull out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from my pocket and toss them into the trash can a few feet away.
Her brows raise. “You’re quitting? Just like that?”
“Don’t need them. If I wanna live to see our grand kids, I don’t wanna be shaving years off my life by puffing on those little cancer sticks as you call them.”
She leans forward and presses her mouth to mine.
I cup her cheek. “And one day, I’m gonna be the best husband to you.”
Tears shimmer in her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Is that your way of proposing to me?”
