It’s taken a month for things to feel normal again. Even though the two men threatening Magnolia are out of the picture, it’s been hard letting her go back to work alone and unprotected. She tried to reassure me Grant was just across the street if she needed anything, but it had the opposite effect. Instead, I went into his bookstore and made it very clear to him what would happen if he touched her or said anything inappropriate.
Poor kid was ready to piss his pants by the time I left.
After Emilio made it through surgery, he was arrested and charged with assault and homicide. His gun was analyzed and tested against the bullet they found in Travis’s skull to determine he was the shooter.
I’d never seen a dead body before, but I felt nothing when I saw his. I hate the pain it brought Magnolia, but the asshole got what he deserved, and I’ll never feel sorry for him.
That night, I tucked Magnolia into her bed, and when I got up to leave, she asked me to stay with her. So I did and every night since then, we’re either snuggling in her bed or she comes into mine.
But I promised myself I wouldn’t kiss or touch her intimately until she gave me the green light, so I continue the forehead kisses and tender hugs until she’s ready for more.
Landen’s even more insufferable now that he’s been labeled the town hero.
As we eat and talk during Sunday night supper, he goes on and on about the interview they just printed about him in the state newspaper. Then he continues to say how he’s collecting so many chicks’ numbers from the bar, he can hardly keep up.
Except the one girl he wants to impress still acts like he doesn’t exist.
Magnolia keeps giving him ideas, but he shoots and misses each time. I think it’s hilarious that he’s getting a taste of his own medicine since he acts like every girl should be tripping over their feet to be with him.
After dessert, I stay for scrapbooking night so I can keep working on the one I’m making for Magnolia. She’s at her parents’ tonight, so it’s the only time I have where she won’t see it before I’m done.
“She’s gonna love that, Tripp,” Noah says, sneaking a look. “I love that you take polaroids of her belly progress each week.”
I tape the most recent one to the page and write “24 Weeks” underneath it.
Magnolia has no idea what I’m doing with these, but when the time is right, I’ll gift them to her. Underneath each photo, I list out any new cravings, milestones, or symptoms she’s experiencing. Every week is different, so it’ll be nice for her to look back on it someday.
There’s a page with all the baby’s ultrasounds from ten weeks and twenty weeks. She’s scheduled to have one more at thirty weeks, and then I’ll add that in.
“I hope so,” I say, admiring how beautiful she looks. She’s glowing in this shot, with one hand on her bump and her head thrown back as she laughs. I made a joke about her giving birth to an alien baby because she’s so active at night that it feels like there are six limbs kicking her stomach. She laughed until her side hurt, but it made for one hell of a perfect photo.
Gramma Grace sits across from me, but she’s not scrapbooking tonight. Instead, she’s been crocheting baby blankets for Noah and Magnolia. Once they’re finished, she plans to add the baby names to them. Then she’ll gift them during their joint baby shower in a few weeks.
I already know the party is going to be over the top with decorations and food, but they’re going to love it. We’ve been talking about it over supper, and everyone’s pitching in to make sure Magnolia has everything she needs for Willow. She hasn’t mentioned moving out now that there’s no threat to her living alone, but I’m hoping she’ll stay anyway.
After an hour of scrapbooking, we start packing up for the night. I’m exhausted and ready to cuddle with Magnolia.
“Night, Ma. Thanks for dinner.” I kiss her cheek.
“So when’re you showin’ her that?” She nods toward my chest.
“When it’s appropriate to.” I shrug because I’ve been hiding it from Magnolia. I don’t want it to sway her decision about us, so when the time is right, I’ll reveal my new tattoo. I purposely wear a shirt around her, even in bed, so she doesn’t see it.
Mom gives me a look that says she disagrees with my decision. She thinks I should be the one to make the first move, especially after everything that happened, but the last thing Magnolia needs is a guy who can’t respect her boundaries. Men have crossed them so many times in the past, and I don’t want to be grouped with them.
“You love her,” she says pointedly.
“More than anything,” I agree. “Enough to wait.”
“I just want you both to be happy. Y’all are meant to be together. I can feel it.” She places a hand over her heart, and I nod because I feel it, too.
Magnolia needs time to process things on her own terms, and I’m not about to push her to be in a relationship while she’s struggling with the guilt of what happened. Especially after watching her go through an anxiety attack, I knew she wasn’t ready.
Even though she was a victim in the whole thing, she feels remorse for his family. Travis’s mom loves Magnolia, and they had a decent relationship throughout the years they dated.
So the day after his funeral, I took Magnolia to get some flowers and drove to his mom’s house since we didn’t attend. Ms. Boone cried when she saw the ultrasound photos and learned she’s going to be a grandma. Apparently, she and Travis had a rocky relationship, and he only came around when he needed money or a place to crash. Jade loved her son the best she could but knew it was only a matter of time before his poor decisions caught up to him. She’s obviously upset about his death, understandably so, but now she can find solace in knowing there’ll be a piece of him left behind.
And if I’m being honest, I’m happy she gets to have that, too.
Magnolia was worried about how people would react to her being pregnant with his baby after he broke into their businesses and homes. For months, they assumed I was the father, and since we never corrected them, they were shocked to learn I wasn’t. But everyone’s been respectful and kind, even showing up at her work and bringing her gifts for the baby.
Once I say goodbye to the rest of the family, I head home. I’m relieved when I see Magnolia’s SUV parked in the driveway because I missed her all night. Being around her settles the anxiety being away from her creates.
When I walk in, something feels different. The lights are off, minus one lamp on the side table. Assuming she left it on for me and already went to bed, I tiptoe down the hall to check on her.
I open the door as quietly as I can, but it’s pitch-black and silent. She usually has a white noise machine on with lights that reflect on the ceiling.
“Sunny?” I take out my phone and turn on the flashlight.
The room is empty.
Her bed, nightstand, dresser. All the clothes that littered the floor.
Gone.
What the fuck?
Did she move out?
Her car is here, so where the hell is she?
When I go toward my room, I hear the shower running, which is odd since she has her own bathroom.
Everything in my room is the same except her dresser is now next to mine and her full-length mirror she had in a corner is now in here.
The bathroom door is ajar, so I push it open all the way and find Magnolia humming a tune in my shower.
“Sunny.”
The curtain whips open just enough to see her face and her eyes widen in surprise. “You’re home earlier than expected.”
“It’s nine-thirty,” I tell her. I’m actually home later than usual on Sunday nights.
“Is it? Shit, I lost track of time and worked up a sweat, so I wanted to rinse off before you got back. I’ll just be a minute longer.”
She closes the curtain and continues showering.
I step closer until I’m leaning against the vanity that’s now covered in her stuff and watch her silhouette move through the curtain.
“What’s going on? Are you movin’ out?”
“Um…not exactly. It was supposed to be a surprise.”
“What was?”
She stays silent, but I can’t take not knowing. Without thinking, I whip the curtain open. Once I see her wet body, I realize what a mistake this was.
I haven’t seen her naked in months, and fuck me, she’s still as stunning as before. Her round belly is adorable. The temptation to take her into my arms and kiss every inch of her is so strong I almost do it.
“Shit, you scared me.” She jumps slightly, draping her arms over her chest as if I haven’t already seen and licked her perfect tits.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
Her shoulders relax, and she blows out a breath. “Fine, but if you insist on knowing right this second, at least get in here and close the curtain. It’s cold.”
My brows pop up because I hadn’t expected that response.
“With my clothes on?” I ask, unsure if she meant for me to strip down to nothing or just come in as is.
“Do you normally shower with them on?” she teases.
“No?”
I remove my shoes and clothes until I’m completely naked, but when I step in, she turns away from me and faces the water.
“Okay, well…” She fidgets with her hands. “Just know I had something way more romantic planned.” She releases a deep breath as if she’s nervous to say the words out loud. “But I don’t want us in separate bedrooms anymore.”
My heart races at how unsteady her voice comes out.
Is she saying what I think she’s saying?
“Turn around,” I demand. “I don’t wanna have this conversation with the back of your head.”
When she does, her brown eyes find mine, and I grin at how many times I’ve gotten lost in them.
“That’s better.” I cup her jaw, rubbing my thumb along her bottom lip. “Where’s your bed?”
“Noah said I could put it in one of your storage barns, so my dad helped me move it out. I figured we’d need room for the nursery furniture.”
My cheeks already hurt from how hard I’m smiling.
“Please tell me this isn’t where you say you’re stealin’ my room, and I get the couch.”
She giggles, leaning into my touch. “No, this is me tryin’ to propose girlfriend-boyfriend matrimony to you.”
I smirk at the same words she said to me at Noah’s wedding when I confirmed she was mine and I was hers. Circling her waist with my other hand, I inch as close as I can without pushing into her belly. “I thought that was my job.”
“You were takin’ your sweet time, and I got impatient.”
“I was waitin’ for you to tell me you were ready.”
“I’m ready,” she says confidently. “I want us to be together.”
Thank fuck.
“Okay, let me do this properly then.” I grab her hand and get down on one knee. “You’re mine, Sunny. And I’m yours. Got it?”
She nods, and although the water stream hits her back, it’s her face that’s wet. “Yes. So much yes.”
I press my lips to her ring finger, which I plan to claim once and for all someday, and then stand so I can kiss her properly.
But then her eyes widen as she stares at my chest, and I freeze in place.
“What’s that?” She presses her finger to the Willow tree inked above Billy’s name on my left pec and leans in for a closer look.
I look down at where she’s touching. “The two most important people in my life are always close to my heart, so it was only fitting to add our baby there, too.”
“Tripp…” More tears fall down her cheeks. “You consider her ours?”
Grabbing her hand, I flatten it over my racing heart. “Willow’s a part of you, which means she’ll always be a part of me, too. I witnessed her first ultrasound. The first time you felt her kick. And I hope to experience many more firsts with you and her.”
“You’re unreal,” she chokes out, then shifts her body to the side so the water hits us both. “When did you get this?”
“After we found out it was a girl and you decided on her name. Sorry to tell you, there’s no changin’ your mind now.”
She giggles through the sobs as she covers her mouth with one hand. “I don’t deserve you, Tripp. Are you sure you want this? It’s a lifelong commitment and responsibility.”
“I think you underestimate my loyalty to you.” I press my lips to the tip of her nose. “You’re the love of my life, Magnolia.” Then I kiss the corner of her mouth next. “It’s always been you, and it will always only be you.” And then my lips brush the other side.
“I’m so in love with you,” she breathes out when my mouth hovers just above hers. “Kiss me. Please.”
Lifting a brow, I smirk. “Since you beg so nicely…”
I give her exactly what she needs, swiping my tongue along her bottom lip before fusing our mouths together. Heat and urgency feed our need to desperately taste each other.
She melts against my touch as I grip her hips and keep her pinned to the wall.
“I’ve missed this so much,” she murmurs when I wrap a hand behind her neck. “I wish there were a way to rewrite history so you were the one to get me pregnant. Then we wouldn’t have lost all this time together.”
I tilt her chin and stare into her sorrow-filled eyes. “We didn’t lose anything, baby. I don’t consider anything with you a waste.”
She nods, though I see the regret across her face.
“If it’s any consolation, now we can play into your little breeding kink without reservations and practice for next time.” I wink.
Her face splits into the widest smile I’ve ever seen, and she laughs. “You mean your kink.”
“Well…” I glide my hands up the sides of her body. “Whaddya want me to do to you?”
“You already know.” She hears the implication in my voice and goes along with it. “Knock me up, cowboy.”
“My fuckin’ pleasure, Sunny.”
