“You’ve got some nerve showing your face around here,” Carla scoffs.
“I’m here to see Emma,” I say, shoving my hands in my pocket. My gaze moves to the floor. “I need to talk to her.”
“You should’ve thought about that before you abandoned her at the damn hospital.”
I blow out a long breath. “I know… I just needed some time to digest—”
“Ashton,” Emma says, appearing in the doorway. I can tell by her red eyes she’s been crying. I rub the heel of my palm across my chest.
“Let’s go, Carla,” Grayson says.
“I’m not leaving her alone with him.”
“Have it your way,” Grayson retorts, picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder.
“Put me down,” Carla screams as they pass me.
“Em, baby, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ran out like I did. It’s just… will you give me a chance to explain?”
There’s conflict brimming in her tormented eyes, I’ve let her down again. I swore I’d be there for her when she needed me, and I wasn’t.
“There’s s-something I didn’t tell you about Anastasia,” I say, my voice cracking. “The night she killed herself, she was four months pregnant with our son.”
“Ashton.” My name comes out more like a gasp. It’s not until her fingers skim across my cheek that I even realize I’m crying. She immediately steps forward, engulfing me in her arms.
“Fuck,” I mutter into her hair as the tears stream from my eyes. “Dammit.”
Emma’s grip on me tightens. “Let it out,” she says, rubbing her hand down my back. “I’ve got you… I’ve got you.”
I grit my teeth hoping to trap it, but there’s no taming the beast that’s been festering inside me for the past six years. The grief rips through me. It consumes me, but I let it all out. I let everything go.
My future is Emma.
She’s the one.
My soulmate.
My fucking air.
And the only woman on this earth I want to start a family with.
Grabbing my hand, she leads me into her bedroom. “Sit,” she says, pointing to the bed. I do as she asks. I’ll do anything to gain her forgiveness. She stands before me. “Do you want this baby, Ashton?”
My eyes move up to meet hers. The uncertainty on her face tears me up inside.
“More than anything.”
A small smile tugs at her lips. “Our situation is far from ideal, and the timing isn’t perfect, but after you left, I had plenty of time to think. I love you, Ashton… I want this, I want you.”
My arms encircle her waist, pulling her closer so I can place a kiss on her stomach. “I once told you I didn’t know if I was capable of love. I was wrong, Em, because I love you so deeply, I feel like I’m fucking drowning.”
“I love you, too,” she says, straddling my lap and peppering tiny kisses all over my face. “So much.”
“I was worried I was going to lose you again.” I hold her tightly as pure relief rushes through me.
“Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.”
“There won’t be a next time, I promise. You’re it for me, sweet-thing. You and this baby are all I want. All I’ll ever need. You’re moving in with me, by the way.”
“No, I’m not.”
“This isn’t up for negotiation, Emma.”
“So bossy.”
“Get used to it, you’re stuck with me.”
I stand, bringing her with me.
“Where are you taking me?” she asks as we walk toward the front door.
“Home.”
“I’ve always believed people cross our paths for a reason, some stay because they’re meant to be there, others just pass through to teach us lessons. Good or bad, they help mold us into the people we are… the people we’re destined to be,” Emma says as her fingers skim over my cheek. “That day I ran into you—”
“Best fucking day of my life,” I say, interrupting her.
“I didn’t think so at the time, but I’d have to agree with you now.”
I brush my lips against hers as I roll her onto her back and shift on top of her, settled between her legs.
“It was fate,” she says.
“You think so?”
“You can’t change what’s written in your cards… you can’t alter what’s meant to be.” Her eyes flutter closed, and she whimpers when I glide my cock through her slick heat.
Best fucking sound ever.
“Plus, I’m irresistible,” I add, rolling my hips slightly forward, pushing the head of my cock inside her. “You can’t refute that.”
“You’re so full of yourself,” she says.
Groaning, I thrust in until I’m balls deep in her heaven. “Actually, I believe it’s you who’s full of me.”
“Cute, Barclay, very cute.”
The last few months with her have made me realize life isn’t as complicated as we make it. Sometimes, even when you’re not looking for love, it finds you anyway. And I’m thankful it found me. I truly believe that everything we went through was preparing us for what lay ahead. Our pasts may have initially stood in our way, but I also believe they helped us, forcing us to appreciate the good when we found it, to cherish it, and to hold on tight. She’s more than I deserve, but I’m never letting her go.
“I’m never letting you go,” I say, reiterating those words out loud, cementing them. “You’re my redemption, my second chance at life. My absolute everything, Em. We’re getting married, by the way.”
Her eyes widen, as I increase the pace. Christ, she feels so good. “Do I have a say in it?”
“Nope.”
The smile she gives me steals all the air from my lungs—it’s a silent yes.
She’s the future Mrs. Barclay. My future wife.
I can’t fucking wait.
Epilogue
EMMA
THREE YEARS LATER…
“It’s going to be okay,” I say to Carla, wrapping her in my arms. She’s been pacing back and forth for the past ten minutes. The closer the ceremony gets, the more agitated she’s become. “You’re strong, you’re kick-ass. Never forget that.”
It’s been two years since she’s had to face Grayson, the last time was at my daughter’s christening. Since then, she’s been avoiding him like the plague. What happened between them is anyone’s guess. She refuses to talk about it. And believe me, I’ve asked numerous times. Grayson was beyond crushed when she broke it off.
Absolutely heartbroken.
To this day, I don’t think he’s gotten over her, and by the way she’s reacting now, I’d say it’s the same for her. In my heart, I know her decision had more to do with her past than it did him. These two were great together. It’s hard to believe that Ashton and I were the ones who made it over the line, considering how tumultuous our relationship was in the beginning.
“I know being here today is hard for you, but I couldn’t get married without my best friend by my side.”