Except let you walk away.
Please don’t fucking walk away.
“Turn back time to months ago,” is all she whispers.
Fuck. I want to beg her not to go there.
“Tell me you don’t mean that. You might’ve thought that at first, which I don’t fucking blame you, but tell me, after all this time we’ve spent together, after seeing the beautiful babies we made on that monitor, that you don’t mean that.”
She sighs. “I … I don’t.” She covers her face with her hands. “I thought I would. Sometimes, I wish I still felt that way. I thought it was the end of my happiness when I found out I was pregnant after our night together, but now … now, I can’t think of a time when I’ve been happier. A time when I thought I was doing something so right.” She rubs her stomach. “These past few months have changed my life, too.”
“These past few months have dragged me out of the darkest hole I thought I’d never escape.” Not all the way. I’m still there, and I’ll never be the same man, but Willow has brought out parts of me I thought would never come out again. And I can feel myself healing as the sun rises each day.
I drop down to my knees to take in the sight of her and show her the honesty in my eyes. “You brought me to the light. We might not have expected this, but it’s somehow made us stronger, brighter, happier.”
I cringe at the knock on the door that interrupts us. Stella pokes her head in, apology on her face, and takes in the scene in front of her.
Me on my knees in the begging position, and Willow crying.
Willow wipes away a tear and nods her head, silently permitting Stella to come in and shut the door behind her.
The door opens again seconds later, this time without a knock, and Hudson appears with brows knitted in concern. “I know this is bad timing, brother, but Maven is in the bounce house, crying, and insists on only talking to you or Willow.”
“Fuck,” I snap, averting my attention to Willow. “Will you be okay for a minute?”
She nods. “Go ahead. I’ll be fine.” I get up, but she grabs my arm to stop me. “Actually, I’d like to come with you, if that’s okay?”
“I’m not sure you’ll be ready for eyes on you,” Stella says.
“How about I try to get her to come in here?” Hudson asks, leaving the room before waiting for our answer.
Willow sniffles again. “That’s a good idea.”
Stella starts to go toward the door but stops and darts over to Willow. “I love you,” she says with a hug. “Know that I’m here, no matter what, and I love you.”
This brings a small smile out of Willow. “I love you, too.”
Stella pokes her shoulder. “And you know you have some explaining to do. Twins? You couldn’t even let a girl know she’s having two godchildren now?”
“I was waiting for the right time,” Willow replies.
The door opens again, and a sobbing Maven comes running into the room and crashes into my arms. “Daddy, I’m sorry!”
I keep my arms around her and rub her back. “It’s okay, May Bear.”
She turns around, still in my arms, and shyly peeks over at Willow. “Are you mad at me?”
Willow’s eyes go soft, and her tone turns soothing. “Of course not, honey. Just shocked, is all.”
She composes herself, gets up, and runs a hand down her dress. I can’t stop myself from grinning at the sight of her stomach showing through. Fingers crossed, she’ll let it be on display more now. “I need another slice of cake.”
I grab her elbow to make sure she’s stable and dip my mouth to her ear. “You sure you’re okay with going back out?” I ask. “We can leave, if you want?”
“We’ll have to face them sooner or later,” she says.
“We’ll be out in a few minutes,” I tell Hudson. “Tell people no questions until we’re ready.”
Maven wraps her hand around my leg. “I know you promised extra doll clothes if I kept our secret.” She pushes her lower lip out. “Do I still get to keep them?”
Willow snorts before bursting out into a fit of laughter. “God, I needed that.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Willow
“I know my son demanded no baby talk, and I respect that, but can I give you a hug?” Rory asks.
I nod, and she pulls me into her tight, patting my back. “Congratulations, dear. I am incredibly grateful for you. So is John, who’s around here somewhere, waiting to corner his son and lecture him on keeping secrets from his mama.” John is Dallas’s father.
The majority of the crowd has ventured home, but a few people are still hanging around. Since we came back, Dallas stayed by my side until minutes ago when I finally convinced him to go to the bounce house with Maven and her doll. Some people have been pretending not to stare at me, others have refused to acknowledge me, and the rest have shamelessly watched every move I make.
“Don’t worry about them,” Rory says when she pulls away. “If anyone asks too many questions, you let them know they’ll have to deal with me.” She grabs a slice of cake and hands it to me. “You deserve this. I told Dallas to give you my number. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
She throws me another smile, pats my shoulder, and then walks over to a table of women hunched over while talking in hushed voices. Most likely about me.
“Holy shit,” Stella gasps, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “That was seriously something out of a movie. I need to use that in a script.”
“No benefiting from my problems for your career,” I mutter, leaning into her.
“How are you feeling?” she asks when we sit down at a secluded table.
“A million things at once. Mortified that this is how everyone found out. Relieved that we no longer have to hide it.”
She smirks. “He’s a good dad, Willow. He’ll be good to you and your baby.” She winces and pouts. “I mean, babies. Why do I feel like I’m not your first call anymore?”
“Sorry. It’s just been so overwhelming. I’m still digesting it myself. There hasn’t even been a call to anyone else.” I shake my head. “Hell, all of these people found out before my mom did.”
“You’d better call her. Blue Beech news makes national news.”
I laugh. “I saw the town’s newspaper. The front page was about some ribfest cook-off. I’m sure my mom subscribes because who can go about their day without finding out Sandy May’s special recipe?”
“Sandy May makes killer ribs. I’d never even had ribs until Hudson dragged me to that festival.”
“I’m sure there’s a plan in Dallas’s head to drag me to the next one.”
“It’ll be fun.” She pokes my side. “Now, if you get any more baby news, you’d better let me know. If I find out you’re having quintuplets from another six-year-old, I won’t be happy.”
“Maven didn’t tell you? It’s actually sextuplets. We’re waiting for another party to shock everyone.”