I didn’t even know this guy six months ago. Now he’s my husband and the father of our future baby.
“There’s been so much that’s happened,” I finally say. “Today has been… exhausting.”
He tucks me closer, his mouth at my forehead as he murmurs, “Let me take care of you.”
“You always take care of me, Perry,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “Everyone does. I can take care of myself too, you know.”
“I know you can.” He grabs hold of my shoulders, pulling away so he can stare into my eyes. His expression is deadly serious. Probably the most intense I’ve ever seen him. He’s giving me serious Winston vibes right now, which is a little eerie, not going to lie. “I’ve told you this before too, but you’re so fucking strong, Charlotte. And you’re going to be a fantastic mother. I know you will. You’re smart and compassionate and protective. Our baby is going to be so damn lucky to have you as a mom.”
The tears turn back on, just like that. His sweet words mean so much.
“Just—promise me you won’t do anything stupid,” I tell him in between my sniffles. “Please, Perry. If you find Seamus, don’t let your anger blind you. Call the police. I can’t lose you. Not now, with a baby on the way. I need you.”
He hesitates, and I shake my head, trying to fight off the disappointment. I need to know I matter. I need to know he’ll do anything to protect me and our baby. Even if that means he has to let Seamus slip through his fingers.
“I don’t know if I can promise that,” he finally says.
A ragged sigh leaves me and I pull away to glare at him. “You’re being selfish.”
“I’m being protective,” he corrects, annoying me further. “He doesn’t deserve to live, not after what he did to you.”
“You’re willing to throw everything we’ve built aside to destroy him and feed your ego. That’s it. This isn’t about me, or the baby.” My voice rises. “If it was about me, about us, you’d do what I’d ask.”
“Come on, Charlotte. You have to know I’ve fallen in—”
I press my fingers against his lips to prevent him from saying it. “Think about what you’re going to say. Make sure you really mean it, and that you’re not like my parents. They love me out of obligation. Because I’m their daughter. And they only approve of me when I’m the proper reflection of them. I don’t need that kind of love in my life—I have enough of it. I want real, everlasting love, Perry. I want you to forget about yourself and your needs, and think about me. Just me. And our child. I want to matter to you, like you matter to me.”
He stares at me, anger flickering in his gaze. The truth hurts, and while I’m not trying to make him mad, I need him to see what I want.
I need him to see how I feel. I will set aside all of my fears and assumptions to prove my love for him. I’m willing to put him first.
Is he willing to do the same for me?
A male someone clears his throat and we both turn our heads to find Jasper standing behind the couch, an uncomfortable expression on his face as he clutches his hands behind his back. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to know if there’s anything you might need before I retire for the evening.”
“We’re good, J,” my husband answers for the both of us. “Should let you know there’s a couple of security guards at the door right now. They’ll be there for a while, I’m thinking.”
“Very well, sir. Have a nice evening.” Jasper bows before he turns on his heel and exits the room, Doja getting up and following after him.
“He’s a good dude, your Jasper,” Perry says, glancing down at me, all the anger that was in his gaze earlier gone. “You okay?”
I nod, closing my eyes when he kisses my forehead yet again, his lips lingering. I suppose we’re going to pretend I never said all that only a few minutes before. “Areyouokay? I just gave you some major, life-changing news.”
When he pulls away, I notice the corner of his mouth lifts up in a faint smile. “I already had my suspicions.”
Right. He definitely did. “This morning… how did you know?”
“After you told Ash you weren’t feeling great at Thanksgiving, she expressed her concerns for you to Winston, and they wondered if you could be pregnant. Winston asked me if it was a possibility,” he explains.
Oh great. My health has become the family gossip. “And what did you tell him?”
“I said the possibility was there. We’ve been careless with birth control,” he reminds me.
We definitely have. In Mexico, I got mad over it. Eventually, I sort of forgot, too caught up in my need for this man.
That’s how I always feel about him. Too caught up. Making me forget… everything. But him. And me. Together.
I like that about him. About us.