"Mine. My person. The woman I'm building a life with." His eyes are steady on mine. "But I know that might be intense for eight- and six-year-olds to process."
"What if you just say I'm someone really special to you? Someone who makes you happy? Keep it simple for now."
"I can do that." He pulls me onto his lap. "You're really okay with all this? With me having kids and an ex-wife and a complicated custody situation?"
"Tyler, those kids are part of you. I want to know them. I want to be part of their lives if they'll let me." I cup his face. "I'm not scared of complicated. I'm scared of losing you."
"You're not going to lose me. Ever." He kisses me softly. "You're stuck with me, baby girl. Kids, chaos, and all."
"Good. Because I'm not going anywhere either."
We spend the rest of the evening cuddled on the couch. Tyler puts on a movie but I can tell his mind is elsewhere.
"What are you thinking about?" I ask.
"How different my life was a month ago. I was lonely without realizing it." He strokes my hair. "And how you changed everything."
"I feel the same way."
"Do you ever regret it? Taking a chance on me?"
"Never. Not even once." I shift to look at him. "Do you?"
"God, no. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." He kisses my forehead. "I just want to make sure I'm giving you what you need. That this dynamic is working for you."
"It's working perfectly. You take care of me without making me feel smothered. You set boundaries without being controlling. You see all of me and love all of me." I pause. "Why are you asking? Are you having doubts?"
"No doubts. I just want to make sure we keep communicating. This only works if we're both honest about what we need." He sounds vulnerable. Is he worried about me leaving? Does he think he’s not doing enough? Should I be reassuring him more and telling him how wonderful he is?
"Then I need you to trust that I'll tell you if something isn't working. I promised I'd be honest, remember?"
"I remember."
"And I need you to believe that I'm here by choice. Not because I feel obligated or trapped or anything like that. I'm here because I want to be. You are doing an amazing job taking care of all my needs. You let me be little when I need to be and you make sure big me is sexually satisfied every time we have sex. You care more about me getting off than you. Not all men would do that. You are the perfect Daddy for me."
His arms tighten around me. "I love you so damn much."
"I love you too, Daddy."
My phone buzzes again.
Emily: Okay I just got a text from someone named Rampage saying Tyler gave him my info and he'll make sure I'm safe in Grand Ridge. This is the sweetest thing ever.
Chloe: Tyler takes care of people.
Emily: You found a good one, babe. Hold onto him.
Chloe: Planning on it.
Emily: Good. Now I'm going to pack for my trip. Text me this weekend and tell me how things go with the kids.
Chloe: Will do. Be safe up there.
Emily: I will. Love you.
Chloe: Love you too.
I show Tyler the messages.
