That’s it. Nothing about the bomb that was dropped on my daughter, just that she needs time, and that’s fine. I’ll give her the time she needs, but I won’t do what I did before and let her hide from me. We’ll face this head-on like a family, and I’ll fight to keep all of them in my life, because without them, I’m nothing.
Chapter 23
Amanda
* * *
Last night, Will took me back to my place, and that’s where we stayed. The night felt quiet and still, like the world had slowed down just for us. We sat together for hours, talking about the future. About where our lives are going and what we want them to become. And somehow, without trying, we kept arriving at the same place in every conversation.
We want the same things.
We want to build a life together, raise our kids side by side, and create a home filled with love, laughter, and the kind of happiness that grows from simply being there for each other every day.
At one point, Will wrapped his arms around me and held me close—the way he does when he wants me to know he means every word he’s about to say. He told me he wants to marry me. He said he wants to adopt Mia, to be there for her, not just in the ways he already is, but in every way that truly matters. He talked about building a family, about the life we could have if we keep choosing each other.
For a moment, it felt almost unreal, like something out of a fairy tale, the kind of story you grow up hearing about but never really believe will happen to you. But the difference is this isn’t a story in a book, and it isn’t a dream I’ll wake up from.
This is real life.
This is happening.
And somehow, unbelievably, this is my life.
Will reaches over the console of his SUV and laces his fingers through mine. “You’re trembling.”
“I’m nervous.”
“It’s all going to be okay,” he assures me.
“You don’t know that. She was so angry, and she has a right to be.”
“She’s hurt, but she loves you. It might take some time, but it’s all going to work out.”
“How do you know?”
He pulls into Reid and Bellamy’s driveway, turns off the engine, and turns in his seat to look at me.
“Because you’re impossible not to love, and anyone who has ever been in your orbit knows that. Even that dickhead ex of yours,” he says with a chuckle.
“Will?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I love you.” I watch as a slow, sexy smile tilts his lips.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that.” He leans over the console and pecks my lips with a soft kiss. “I love you, too, Mandy. Let’s go get our girl.”
Together, we exit the car. When he meets me at the sidewalk, he takes my hand. I don’t pull away. I don’t want to flaunt this in Bellamy’s face, but I want to love him openly. Will is the best man I’ve ever known, and he deserves that kind of love. The kind he showers me with every single day.
Will knocks on the door, and a smiling Reid answers with Mia on one hip and Coral on the other. “Come on in. Welcome to the chaos.” Reid laughs. “These little monkeys and I just had a dance party.”
“What? Without me?” Will asks, scooping Coral into his arms.
“Papa, dance.”
“You know I’ve got the moves,” he tells her as we step into the living room. “Hey, sweetheart,” he greets Bellamy, who’s sitting on the couch with a blanket over her lap.
“Bell, your old man’s telling tall tales again.” Reid laughs.