Page 70 of Kiss Me Forever

“I am too. I wanted to show them that you weren’t a monster. That you weren’t what they said you were. And I just wanted my grandparents. I knew they didn’t love me. They never did. They call me Mom’s mistake.”

“I’m going to go back and kill them,” I blurted. Reece gave me a look that I couldn’t decipher, but Bella let out a shaky laugh.

“I don’t want you to go to jail. I’m sorry though. For what they said.”

“I don’t have any words,” Reece finally let out, before turning her so she faced him. Bella’s back was to me, so I could see Reece’s eyes.

And it was right then and there that I knew without a doubt I loved him. No matter what happened now or in the future, I loved this man.

“We’re going to have a talk about what those people said. I know we talked about therapy, but maybe it’s time we both go,” he said dryly.

Bella let out a watery laugh. “Yeah, maybe. I know Mom used to go.”

That surprised me but I didn’t say a word. From the look on Reece’s face, his thoughts aligned with mine.

“Good. Then maybe we can figure out what to say. As for your grandparents, I’m going to talk to my lawyers, and we’re going to make sure that we never see them again. Not until they apologize or get their heads out of their asses. And I do realize that I keep cursing around you and threatening them, but it’s been a day.”

That made me laugh, and thankfully Bella did too. “You’re allowed to curse. You’re the parental unit.”

“I am. I’m your parental unit. I’m going to take care of you, kid. Always.” Reece met my gaze, and I wasn’t sure what he wanted to say, but there wasn’t anything to put into words. Not between the two of us. I felt like an outsider being there, as this was such a private moment. But I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“You’re mine, you get that right? I lost so many years, Bella. I’m not going to lose anymore.”

“Is it okay if I call you Dad then?” Bella asked, her voice watery.

“And there you go,” I said with a laugh, before I burst into tears.

Reece gave me a look, his eyes full of unshed tears, before he pulled Bella into a hard hug, kissing the top of her head.

“Yeah. Call me Dad.” He cleared his throat, before he opened up one arm and pulled me into the hug with them.

“Sorry. I get emotional. And it’s been a weird night.” I tried to laugh it off, but he kissed the top of my head as well, and then the three of us were standing there and holding one another, this moment forever etched into my memories.

“Does this mean we can get ice cream now?” Bella asked against Reece’s chest, and this time it was Reece who laughed, and a little bit of the darkness began to lift. Not enough, it would never be enough, but we were a unit.

“Ice cream. Maybe dinner first.”

“Let’s do ice cream first. We deserve it,” I teased.

“Anything for my girls,” Reece said, and I ignored that familiar twinge. Because these two were a family. Finally. And every ounce of me ached to join them. I just didn’t know if it was for the best. But I ignored those thoughts, and smiled at the man that I loved, and the little girl who had far too quickly taken my heart, and smiled.

They were a unit, and I would do anything to protect them.

Even if it meant walking away. But for now I wouldn’t tell them that. No, those private thoughts were just for me.

Chapter 14

BROOKLYN

Reece

I will pick up chicken.

Me

As in fried chicken?

Reece