“Get what?” she asks, confusion lacing her voice.
“I don’t want anything with Zara. Not even a friendship. I know I’ll have to tolerate her if she ends up being part of Jacob’s life, but that’s all I’ll be doing, tolerating her.”
“But—”
“I want a life with you, Aria,” I tell her, cutting her off. “The thought of going home and never seeing you again…” I trail off, not even able to think about my life without her in it.
“I just don’t know how we can make this work, Jack.”
“Do you want to be with me?” I hold my breath as I wait for her answer. She had my heart a while ago, and although I think I know how she feels about me, I know she’s guarding her heart.
“Yes,” she whispers, and I can’t help the smile that fills my face.
“Then we’ll make it work.” I stand up and pull her into my arms. “I always thought I’d say these words after some romantic gesture where I’d just swept you off your feet.” I pause and lean back, waiting for her eyes to meet mine. “But I can’t wait any longer. I love you, Aria. I know our relationship isn’t going to be easy, but I want to fight for us. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” Tears spill down her cheeks and I cup her face, my thumbs wiping away her tears.
“I love you too, Jack.” My heart explodes with her words, and relief courses through me knowing she feels the same. “You really think we can make this work?”
“Yeah, baby. I do.” I lower my head and capture her lips with mine. It’s a soft kiss and one that’s full of love. After a few seconds, she pulls back.
“Can I ask you something?” She worries her bottom lip with her teeth, and I frown.
“Anything.”
“Does Zara want to give the relationship another shot?”
I groan inwardly. I don’t want to worry her, especially knowing what Zara said to me earlier, but I also don’t want to lie to her. “Yeah, I think so.”
“She’s going to make things difficult, isn’t she?”
“Only if we let her.” I reach my hand up and cup her face. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I know how I feel about you. Nothing and no one is going to change that.” She smiles, and this time it reaches her eyes. “Shall we go back inside?”
She nods. “I didn’t have nearly enough time cuddling Annie.”
“It suited you.”
“What did?”
“Having a baby in your arms.” Her face flushes with heat, and I drop a kiss on her nose. “Come on.” Taking her hand, I keep it tightly encased in mine as we ride the lift back up to Lib’s room.
Knocking lightly on the door, we walk in and all conversation stops. Libby’s eyes drop to our joined hands and a smile erupts on her face.
“You talked?” she asks, and I nod, dropping Aria’s hand and snaking my arm around her waist.
“Everything’s good,” I assure her. Jacob slides off my dad’s knee and walks over to Aria, his chubby little hand pulling on hers.
“Up, Ria?” he asks, and she kneels down, scooping him into her arms. His head rests on her shoulder as his thumb goes into his mouth. Aria crosses the room and sits in the chair at the side of Libby’s bed, Jacob nestled against her chest. I can’t take my eyes off either of them, knowing now more than ever that I’m looking at my future. I just have to figure out how to make that future a reality when we live thousands of miles apart.
Aria
We spend another hour or so at the hospital with Quinn arriving just as we’re about to leave. She looks beautiful. Despite having a rough start to her pregnancy, she looks incredible now, and is already sporting the cutest little baby bump. Libby is hoping to be discharged tomorrow afternoon, and after saying goodbye she makes me promise to stop by the cottage when they’re home. I agree, chuckling to myself. If I know Lib, she likely wants all the details of my and Jack’s talk. Quinn looks interested too as she sees us whispering. I’m sure Lib will fill her in as soon as we leave.
I’m nervous as we drive up to the ranch house. Jack and I haven’t had a chance to talk anymore about Zara. I’m not stupid though, I know he’s going to have to spend time with her while she’s here. Jacob doesn’t know her. It’s not like Jack can just hand him over for them to spend time together. I just know I’m going to hate it.
“You’ve been gone ages!” Zara exclaims as we climb out of the truck. “There is nothing to do here.” Emma shakes her head as she and Phil head inside.
“It’s a ranch, Zara. It’s about the horses and the land. What did you expect?” Jack walks around the truck with Jacob in his arms. His spare hand reaches for mine and he squeezes it reassuringly.
“I thought there might have been a spa or something. A pool at least!”