My cheeks burned. I never thought of myself as being the kind of woman who wanted to mark a man. But I wanted to see my name there. Ineededthis reminder.
Slowly and with a shaky hand, I wrote my name. When I stepped back to survey it, my name looked like it belonged.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“We can write it again any time you need the reminder.”
“I’m trying not to be insecure,” I said. “And normally I’m not, but everything is changing so fast, and some days it’s hard to stay confident.”
“What’s changing?”
“I’m gaining weight, obviously.”
“You’re still beautiful, no matter what weight you’re at.” His words echoed a lesson I’d had to teach myself a long time ago, and I needed the reminder.
A long time ago, I’d accepted my weight would change. Now there were new things to work on accepting.
“And then there’s the stretch marks.”
“Show me.”
My cheeks went hot. “I’d rather not.”
“Grace, you’re always gonna be beautiful to me. Whether you have stretch marks or not. And I’ll prove it to you.”
I took a breath and I lifted my shirt. Dean fell to his knees, fingers gently running over the marks I was still learning to love.
“Beautiful,” he said.
“You don’t have to?—”
“No, it is. All of it is. It’s a reminder that you’re growing our child, Grace. And you’re doing it so well.”
I grew warm. “You really don’t hate them?”
“No, I love them. Just like I love—” His eyes flicked up to mine, and his throat worked as he struggled with whatever he wanted to say.
I knew what it was, and while I wanted nothing more than to hear those words, I knew why they were terrifying for him.
Reaching down, I cupped his cheek. “Take your time. I’ll be right here.”
I could wait however long he needed to. It could be minutes or months, but Iknew.
He closed his eyes to get his thoughts together. When he opened them, they were shiny. “I love you. A lot, actually, and you don’t have to say it back?—”
“Dean, I love you too. Now get up here and kiss me.”
He didn’t waste any time. My emotions still felt sore in ways only time could heal, but this was a moment I’d always remember.
Warmth and love covered all of it like a Band-Aid. I was still emotionally hurting, but it felt easier to take now. This was exactly what I’d wanted when I told him I wanted us to deal with our problems together.
This was whatlovewas.
I pulled away, fighting a yawn.
“Bedtime?” he asked. “It’s been a long day.”
“I should head in that direction. I just wonder why Brooke acted like she didn’t invite me. You saw the text.”