“I’m glad you’re really my mom and not Karen. She never loved me.” Noelle’s nose crinkles as she struggles with the words she wants to say.
“Hey kid, eyes closed. Let your mom get up and showered.” Doing as he’s told, he drops to the floor, covering his eyes with his hands. “Come on.” Grasping Noelle’s hand, I help her from the bed and usher her into the bathroom, where she stands naked and stunned.
“Noelle.” I groan her name when I see the marks of our loving mingling with the ones I wish would dissipate already.
“How long has he known?” she mumbles.
“Said since he was five.”
“A whole year?” Her eyes widen, and I nod. “Oh my god, what he must have thought?” Starting the shower, I guide her in.
“This just kickstarts the process of having to explain it all to him. I’m sure he has questions, and he will ask the hell out of them; but for today, Noelle, just let it be. When the two of you are ready to talk, it’ll happen.” She nods and dunks her head under the water. “I’m going to grab you some clothes, then I have to make a couple of calls. You want him in the room, or should I take him with me?”
“Could he stay up here?” I nod, and she smiles, and I feel like I've given her the entire world.
Leaving her in the shower, I grab her a pair of pants from her bag and one of my sweaters. Placing them on the sink counter, I close the door behind me. “Wait for your mom, okay?” I say to Sawyer, and he gives me the "ok" sign as he lies in the middle of the bed with Bear and Belle on either side of him.
Heading downstairs, I pull out my phone and walk into my dad’s office. Closing the door behind me, I call Daniel.
“What’s up?” he answers on the first ring.
“Got any plans today?” He's integral to my idea.
“Just heading over there now.” I hear the jingle of car keys.
“Good, because I need your help.” He promises to be here in ten minutes, and now I need to convince Noelle of my plan. I wasn’t joking when I told her I couldn’t let her in on certain things until we were married; I can only hope she’ll forgive me for the sins I intend to confess to her.
* * *
Noelle
Sawyer hadn't needed me to explain why I only acted like his cousin when I’m clearly so much more. The reasons were not important to him. He was just happy that I'll get to be his mom now, and as grateful as I am for that, I worry that it will damage him in the long run when I simply want him to be happy.
After getting dressed, we headed downstairs, where Lilith took him to the kitchen to finish his breakfast, and King led me to his office, where Holden and Daniel were waiting for me.
“Are you listening, Noelle?” Holden asks as I sit slightly stunned.
“You want me to marry you. You want to adopt Sawyer, and you want to do it all today.” He nods. “How is that even possible?” It’s a lot of work, and there are blood tests, paperwork, and a million other things that I’m not even aware of, I'm sure.
“Daniel is licensed to officiate a marriage, and he has everything else we need. A judge is on his way to make sure it’s all legal, and we’ll file the paperwork with the courts this afternoon.” He looks proud of himself.
“What if this isn't how I want to get married?” In truth, I don’t really care. I’ve never given it much thought. But I also can’t just cave to everything he wants. Holden needs to understand that even though I’m agreeable and pliant, I have a mind of my own and like to make decisions too.
“Do you want a big, fancy thing? Veil, dress, three-tier cake? Because I’ll give it to you, and I’ll make it all happen today.” He sounds so sure of himself.
“You can do that?” I gaze at the other two men in the room, and they shrug as if to say, try him.
“I will do anything you want me to, Noelle.” I believe him.
“Why?” I push. He wants me to put everything on the line: my life, Sawyer’s. Then I must understand the reasoning.
Kneeling in front of me, Holden clasps my face in his hands. “You are mine, Noelle.”
“But what does that mean, Holden?”
“It’s as possessive as it sounds. I can’t imagine taking another breath without you in my life. I can’t imagine another woman in your place. I can’t imagine a more perfect son than Sawyer. You and I are connected in a way no one else can be with us. We are the perfect pair making a complete whole, Noelle.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I bury my head in the crook of his shoulder and inhale his masculine scent. Spicy and woodsy.Like home.“Yes, Holden.”