Resting my chin on the crown of her head I stand there with her in my arms and close my eyes.

“I’m so fucking scared of loosing you, of you realizing that you deserve better than me.”

She tips her head back and I open my eyes to meet her gaze.

“I will never find another man who makes me feel as safe or as complete as you do.” Her fingers trail down my jaw. “I deserve that, the kind of love you give me, the way you make me feel.”

“Mouse.”

“I love you, and I choose you, don’t ever forget that.” She leans up, pressing her lips to mine, whispering there, “But if you ever lock me in a room again, I’ll kill you.”

“Noted.” I whisper against her mouth as I walk her backwards to the bed. When she falls backward onto the mattress, I go down with her and take her mouth in a deep kiss.

And as I lose myself inside her I know I’m home, that she’s my home and no matter what happens in life as long as I have her, I will always belong.

Chapter 19

Clay

STANDING IN MY kitchen I look around at the people who have come today to celebrate Carly, and I let out a breath. For the last three hours I’ve watched Willow put on a positive face as she’s talked and laughed with the people she invited, but I can tell this whole thing is taking a toll on her. I glance at my watch and wish that I could just kick everyone out, but I know if I did that Willow wouldn’t be very understanding even if I was doing it for her. If we had been at the park where today was supposed to take place, I’d be able to use the weather as an excuse to usher her away, but when she saw that rain was on the forecast she asked if she could have everyone come here. And since I want her to get used to the idea of this place being her home, I agreed.

“We need to talk,” Nico says, stepping up to my side

I raise a brow. Since he arrived with Sophie, Willow’s mom, early this morning to help set up, he’s kept his distance even at the frustration of his daughter and his wife.

“Outside,” he mutters.

I lift my chin then start to follow him through the room.

“Is everything okay?” Willow grabs my hand, stopping me, and I bend to brush my mouth over hers.

“All good, baby. Be right back,”

She looks to where her dad is standing, then back at me. “Okay. Love you.”

Fuck, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to hearing those words from her. Every fucking night I go to sleep wondering if I’ll wake up in the morning, the happiness and contentment I’ve been feeling just a dream I made up. But somehow, I’ve started each day with her in my arms and that connection to her just a little stronger than it was the day before.