What did she need? She needed to take care of Geneva—to give her a safe, happy life. To give her the promise of a future, regardless of her genetics. For that, she needed room for herself to breathe, a space to find peace and security, so she could lay down her armor and rest.
Cooper sat before her, holding her hands, offering her all of that. But he was offering her so much more as well. He was offering her things she wanted, too. A chance to find joy in her own life. To find work that fulfilled her. To make a home she was proud of. To give Geneva more than simply a strong foundation but the whole house.
And he was offering even more, offering her things she’d thought she’d lost forever, and things she’d never dared to want. Love. Affection. A need for her that didn’t drain her. A shoulder to lean on when she was weary. Arms to hold her when she needed comfort. And desire. To want and to be wanted. As a woman.
He was offering her everything, and asking for only trust in return.
She lifted their hands and pressed his knuckles to her cheek. “Youare everything I need, Cooper.”
His grin had calcified while she considered. Now it faded away almost entirely, and Siena saw in his eyes how very vulnerable he was right now, waiting for her to decide their future. How afraid he’d been that she’d reject him.
She turned his hand and pressed her lips to the center of his palm. “I love you. I trust you.”
His throat clicked loudly as he swallowed. “So, together, then?”
She wanted to say yes. God, how she wanted that. But there was one more thing. One more big, terrifying thing. “What if I get cancer?”
His hand closed tightly around hers. “Then we stand together and fight.”
Together.
Together.
Together.The word seemed so unfamiliar, so alien and beautiful.
“And if we lose?”
He pulled her close, lifted her onto his lap, wrapped his arms around her, held her snugly. “Then Geneva won’t be alone when you go.”
Oh god. Siena’s heart swelled and broke.
He kissed her temple. With his lips against her skin he whispered, “Make a family with me, Siena.”
Tucked within Cooper’s warm embrace, Siena opened her eyes and saw the sky outside his office window was tinged with pink and gold. Sunrise. A new day.
A new start.
A rebirth.
Rising from the ashes of a life that had not worked, had no more use.
Rising into a life of love.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Make a family with us.”