“The fact that I can’t have kids.”
Caroline turned Hannah in her arms, cocking her head slightly. “Please talk to me.”
“Do you think it’s a coincidence that my girlfriend of three years left me nine days after I told her I couldn’t have kids?”
Caroline frowned. “It…could be. But I don’t know. It’s something you’d have to discuss with her.”
“She ghosted me. Packed her stuff and left. Just…gone, just like that.”
“I’m sorry she did that to you. I’m assuming if it lasted three years, it was serious?”
“Itwasserious. Nine months before, she asked me to marry her.” Hannah didn’t want any of this information to scare Caroline off, but they were definitely in a position where being honest was for the best. “We got talking one night. Kirsty told me how much she wanted kids. I was thrilled. Because I assumed she would be able to carry.”
“And she couldn’t.”
“No. It seems neither of us was in a position to have a child. It was a miscommunication, I guess. She couldn’t believe she’d met someone who also couldn’t carry.”
“I’m sorry.” Caroline brushed Hannah’s hair from her face, cupping her cheek. “I hate that she ghosted you. I really do.”
“I guess it worked out for the best in the end. I wouldn’t be here with you if Kirsty and I were still together.”
Caroline beamed a smile, those green eyes soft and inviting. “I guess you’re right.”
“It’s just…is it going to be an issue for us? That I can’t have kids?”
Caroline appeared taken aback by that question. She opened her mouth to speak but fell short of any words. “I-I…”
“You can be honest with me, Caz. If you still dream of kids, I need you to be honest with me.”
“I haveyou. That’s all I need. I would love for you to consider me your family. Perhaps Edie too, down the line. Though Icompletelyunderstand that I’m probably expecting too much when I say that. She has her parents and her stepparent. I wouldn’t dream of coming in and rocking the boat. But she means a lot to me, Hannah.” Caroline took a step back and held up her hands. “I’m not making any sense, and I don’t want to put any pressure on this. What I’m saying is…I needyou. I’mhappywith you. I’m not going to get months, potentially years, into this and want more.”
Hannah settled entirely at those words. Anyone else, and she may not believe everything they were saying, but Caroline was honest. She had no other setting. “If you’re sure?”
“One hundred percent sure. I’m happy with my life now that you and Edie are in it. This works. It means so much to me.”
“You said…Edie down the line.”
Hannah noted the blush on Caroline’s cheeks as she lowered her gaze. “Never mind.”
“Tell me.” Hannah reached out a hand and gripped Caroline’s. “Please.”
“I just meant that down the line, if it was okay with you, I’d treat Edie like my own. If things between us really took off, then I’d protect her as though she was my own.”
Hannah bit back a sob, shaking her head as she pulled Caroline against her. This woman was everything Hannah had wished for in life. Kirsty made her happy to a point, but Caroline? There was no comparison. It simply wasn’t possible.
“Hannah, you don’t have to accept that from me. I just wanted you to know that I wouldn’t see her asjustyour child. I’d love her and take care of her. Be whatever she needs me to be. But…only if it was whatyouwanted. What her dad wanted. I have no right to walk in here and do any of those things, but—”
Hannah held onto Caroline as though she would lose her at any moment. “Iwouldwant you to do that. I really would.”
With her arms securely wrapped around Hannah, silence fell over them. Hannah knew Caroline was processing because she was doing the very same thing herself. But this was perfect. It was comfortable. It was safe. Caroline had always felt safe, and Hannah was glad her girlfriend was beginning to see herself as more than before. Because as the weeks progressed, Caroline didn’t appear worried by every little thing. She didn’t question every step she took. No, Caroline was moving forward, and it was the most beautiful sight.
“Hey,” Hannah whispered as she pulled back. She studied Caroline’s eyes, the slight gold flecks, and smiled. “I love you.”
Caroline’s bottom lip quivered, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I do, Caz. I’ll never hurt you. You mean the world to me. To Edie, too. So, when I tell you that I love you, I mean it with my whole heart.”
Caroline cupped Hannah’s cheek, stroking a thumb across her skin. “I love you, too.”