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. 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 and wraps his arms around me and holds me. “Are you kidding me? Burden? Fuck that. I’ll be there for everything. Iwantto 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...”
“Morerules?” 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’reitfor 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.
“I just wish you’d told me sooner.” I can hear the change in his voice now, and it’s coated with sadness. “Were you even going to tell me if you didn’t plan on coming back?”
Guilt washes over me, and I can’t look at his sad eyes. “I didn’t think you’d want anything to do with me after the way I left, and I couldn’t bear it. I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out, but I was scared.”
“Princess…thatreallyhurts to hear you’d ever think that. I’ve wanted you since before I even knew what it meant to need someone that much. It would ruin me to lose you for good.”
I can’t hold back the tears anymore, and he catches them with his thumb over my cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
“I would’ve been there for you every minute you needed me. I would’ve flown to Boston in a heartbeat. You aren’t alone, Viola.”
“Travis, I’m really sorry. I’m an idiot. I know I should’ve told you sooner, but I was so scared how you’d react, and it didn’t really hit me at first. I know that’s not a valid excuse, but I’m so sorry for hurting you. I don’t ever want to do that again,” I tell him, and I mean every word.
“Princess,” he says, brushing a strand of hair off my face. “I understand you were scared, and it’s okay now. It’s all going to be okay. I’ll always be here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
He kisses me again, and it feels so natural and right. I didn’t expect him to be this understanding. I played every scenario over in my head, and worst case, I’d be alone. I’d be a single mom, and he’d never want to see me again.
“Does Drew know?” he asks with a pointed look.
“Yeah, he does. I told him yesterday.”
“Oh, okay. Good. I wasn’t sure if I should expect him to punch me in the face sometime soon.”
“Well, maybe. But it wouldn’t be for this,” I say with a smirk.
“Then he took it well?”