Jenna watched Curt as he slept. This was a new experience. Being able to watch him while he was so unguarded. God, she loved him so much.
Her stomach rumbled, and he opened his eyes, staring at her.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?” He sat up and tugged at her blankets, covering her. She knew she’d worried him. She could see it in the way he fussed over her.
“Go from asleep to wide awake. It always takes me a while to get my bearings.”
“I know, baby. It’s kind of cute the way you wake up all disorientated. You’re so helpless in those few seconds. Gives me a chance to take care of you.”
“You always take care of me,” she countered. “You came for me. I knew you would. That’s why I found a safe place to hide after Daisy and I escaped. I waited for you. Where is Daisy?”
“Colin took her home with him. He’ll take care of her until we come for her.”
“She was amazing. If I hadn’t had her I don’t know what I would’ve done. I couldn’t have fought off both of them. She leaped for one, and I kneed the other one in the balls, then we took off. They shot at us. I could have died.” With him thinking she didn’t want him. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Curt.”
“Sh.” He put his finger over her lips. “I know. Melody told me you were coming back. I know I do
n’t make it easy for you to talk to me, but if you’d told me you needed to go back to Haven, I’d have done what I could to make it happen. I know I have a tendency to make assumptions or decisions for the both of us without talking to you.”
“You mean everything to me. I don’t want to lose you.”
He leaned forward, his gaze fierce. “What makes you think you ever would?”
“Curt, I can’t have children.”
He stilled, closing up. Then he ran his hand over his face. “Fuck.”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I always thought you knew. I thought Amelia would have told you.”
“Amelia? What?”
“I was in a car accident when I was ten. I damaged my uterus. Curt, I’m so sorry. I can’t give you children.”
He grabbed hold of her hands, looking fierce. “Baby, I am so sorry that happened to you. That you can’t have children. But if you think that means anything will change between us then you have another think coming.”
“You want children. Four.” Tears ran down her face.
He brushed them away with his cheeks. “I’m an asshole.”
“What? No, you’re not.”
“I am. I never even asked you about children, I just assumed you wanted kids.”
“I do. I mean, if I could have them.”
His thumbs stilled. “You still want them?”
“Yes. Of course, I love kids.”
“Baby.” He gave a low laugh. “Just because you can’t give birth to my child, doesn’t mean we can’t have kids. If you want them, then we’ll look at other ways.”
“Really?”
“Really. I love you. I want you. Kids are just a bonus. No matter what way they come to us. I’m here to stay. Whether we can have babies or not. I’m here forever, Jenna. And that’s the way it’s gonna be, got it?”
She smiled at him. “Got it.”