Page after page.
Then he stops on the section about the children.
His shoulders sag while tears well in his eyes.
I wrap my arms around him as he buries his face into my neck, and I wish desperately that I could carry the weight of his past for him.
“You had Rosa,” I whisper. “Now I think it’s our turn to help break the cycle.”
He shakes his head, and my heart sinks.
“We don’t have to decide anything right now,” I murmur.
He straightens suddenly, purpose lighting his expression.
“I wasn’t shaking my head because it’s a no. I was shaking my head because I can’t believe how lucky I am to be in love with the most incredible, compassionate woman I’ve ever known.” I freeze…waiting. “I love you with my whole being, Mads,” he continues softly. “And I don’t need to wait months. I already know I can’t wait to adopt a child with you.” He smiles when my shock is obvious, brushing his hand through my hair.
“You don’t think I’m crazy for this?”
“No. We’re not young kids making irrational decisions. We both know what we want.” He leans in to kiss me, and I clasp a hand over my mouth.
My eyes widen.
Oh no.
I jump off the couch and bolt to the powder room with Nate hot on my heels. I don’t have time to close the door before I kneel down in front of the toilet and get sick.
He immediately gathers my hair back, rubbing my spine.
“Feeling fine?” he mocks, barely holding back his amusement.
“Shut up,” I mumble.
He laughs softly and helps me up. “You good for now?”
“Uh-huh. Sorry to ruin the moment.”
“It makes for a great memory,” he says, scooping me up bridal-style.
I turn my face away just in case, and sure enough, once we reach the en suite, I’m sick twice more.
When my stomach finally settles, I brush my teeth while Nate gently removes my glasses. Then when I’m done, he begins my nighttime routine, first taking off my makeup.
“This used to be my favorite part of the day,” I say, smiling at the memory. “So intimate for college kids.”
“I was always advanced for my age.” He winks.
He tucks me into bed beside Skye, drapes a blanket over me, and queues upLove Actually.
“There’s a bucket,” he adds, pointing to the floor.
“Thank you,” I say as he brushes my hair from my face.
“I’m sorry, Goddess. I wish I could’ve gotten the bug. I hate seeing you like this.”
“It’s okay,” I lie. “You’re going to sleep in the guest room, right?”
He glances down at his side of the bed and then shakes his head. “I’ll sleep with you, in case you need me.”
