I can tell she’s upset about something, and all I want to do is pull her into my arms, but I won’t cross that line until she’s ready. I won’t rush this. “Is everything okay?”
She shakes her head, and the smile fades from my face. This meeting is beginning to feel all wrong. “You can tell me anything, Viola. You know that, right? I’m not upset with you, princess.”
She nods.
My heart races, and I feel like I’m losing her all over again. Instead of waiting for her to tell me what’s going on, I just start rambling, hoping she will open up to me.
“Are you seeing someone else?” I ask. That’d be the worst possible thing that could happen, but I’d still sit on the sidelines and wait for her. No, fuck that, I’d fight for her.
She shakes her head, and I can see she’s becoming more emotional with each passing second. I move closer to her, wrap my arms around her, hoping to God she doesn’t push me away. Sinking into me, she leans her head against my chest, and I hold her.
“I’m so scared, Travis.”
I pull away and stare into her eyes. Now she’s really beginning to worry me.
VIOLA
I don’t know what to say. As he holds me in his arms, I feel like nothing else in this world matters, but I’m scared shitless. As I let out a ragged breath, Travis grabs my chin between his fingers and stares into my eyes. Before I get lost with him, I move the blanket from my stomach and stand up. At first, he doesn’t notice, but when he does, his eyes widen, and he sits there, completely silent. Silence like this is what nightmares are made of, and it scares me.
“Please say something.” I’m trying to stay strong, but know I’m losing it when I begin to choke up.
“Viola,” he finally says, swallowing hard. “Is it…”
“Yours?” I arch a brow.
He searches my face and nods.
“Yes.” I flash a confident smile, wanting him to know that I’d never do that to him. I hate that he even had to question it, but I can’t blame him either. Travis King isn’t the kind of guy you just move on from. I should know. I hadn’t been able to in over ten years.
Immediately, Travis stands up and cups my face and covers my mouth with his. It sends shivers down my spine to feel his lips against mine again. It’s been months since I’ve tasted him and it feels so good and so right to be in his arms again. He slows the kiss, and after he breaks apart, he presses his lips against my forehead before falling to his knees.
I watch as he places his palms against my swollen belly. I lift my shirt for him so he can feel my skin against his. He places a kiss right above my belly button before pressing his ear against my stomach.
His reaction makes me light up inside, and as I run my fingers through his hair, I think about how this will forever change us. I know deep in my heart that everything will be okay now that he finally knows and better yet that he’s not upset about it.
He tilts his head up, and we lock eyes. “I want you and me and our baby to be a family, princess. I will go to every single baby appointment. You don’t have to do this alone. I don’t want you to do this alone.”
I swallow, nerves brewing through me. “I know you’re busy with the firm, so you really don’t have to go to any trouble. I don’t want to be a burden to you with all of this.”
He stands up and wraps his arms around me and holds me. “Are you kidding me? Burden? Fuck that. I’ll be there for everything. I want to be there for everything. Appointments, shopping, baby classes—all of it. Even changing the shitty diapers. ”
I let out a laugh, and it’s the first time I’ve really smiled since telling Drew. “The baby has to be our priority. No sex, no…”
“More rules?” He gives me a sly grin.
I flash a guilty smile. “I just think we should stay focused on the baby, is all. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together, and I don’t want you to think I expect anything from you.”
Travis tilts my chin until our eyes are locked. “I would never want you to go through this alone—no matter what. I want to be with you, and I want to raise this baby together. I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve never stopped loving you, and I never will. I don’t know how to make it any clearer, princess. You’re it for me.”
I choke back a sob because his words are pure perfection. I feel like the worst person in the world right now, and all I want to do is give him everything.