“We didn’t even get to love him. Her.” My voice cracks, the tears dropping. “Not even for one day.”
Noah grows rigid, his gaze sweeping over my face with urgency.
Holding the tiny football close, I reach for the backpack at my side, blindly digging inside.
It’s with shaky hands, I place the small bag between us. I try but fail to keep the cracking out of my voice as I meet his stare once more. “Happy Birthday, Noah.”
His nostrils flare, his nose turning red. “Juliet—”
“Open it,” I murmur.
His body shakes as he pulls the tissue paper free, and as he sees what’s inside, nothing but a single twenty-dollar football, the same gift his mom would give him every year for his birthday, but isn’t here to do so today, the moisture in his eyes doubles.
Noah’s chin falls to his chest, and he buries his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs, and my own grow choppier.
I jolt forward, and the second my hand touches his, he looks up into my eyes, and he sees it.
He sees me.
His palms lift, cupping my cheeks gently, and I lean into his touch, reaching up to hold him there as he stares longingly. “Baby…” he mutters desperately. “Did you come back to me?”
“My god, Noah.” I choke on my own tears, pressing my forehead to his. “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when she died and I’m sorry you’ve been alone and I’m just… I’m so sorry,” I cry, gripping his hands with my own. “I abandoned you.”
“Shh, baby, no.” He swallows hard, shaking his head. “Don’t be sorry. Never be sorry. You just had to find your way back.” His eyes close. “I thought I lost you. Are you mine?” he worries, his voice lower than a trembling whisper. “Please… say you’re mine.”
I nod rapidly, my hands gliding along his face. “Always. Forever.”
A harsh breath pushes past his lips, and he shakes. “Say it.”
My eyes pop open, locking with his as I grip and hold him still, whispering, “I swear.”
Noah doesn’t hesitate, his mouth crushes mine.
His kiss is hard and deep, it’s devastating and awakening. It’s claiming.
His kiss is a promise from his soul to mine, that no matter what happens, this is home.
He is home.
* * *
THE END.
Epilogue
Arianna
* * *
Valentine’s Day
* * *
In the weeks that have passed, Noah and I have grown so much, both as a couple and as individuals. Together, we decided to take a semester off from school, so we could process and come to terms with all that happened to us. My parents were more than understanding, and while I didn’t want that for Noah, for his final semester as well as graduation to be delayed, he was the one who suggested it.
With everything that was going on, he had no time to heal. He was torn in half in December, only to be shredded into a million pieces come January. He thought he lost me, he lost our child, and then he lost his mother. Not only did he want time to heal, but he also needed it. We needed it.
So we took the time we deserved, packed up my dorm as well as his captain’s quarters, since neither of us would be returning to campus until the fall, when a new captain would be moved into Noah’s old space. And then we left for my parents’ house. My dad surprised us when we arrived, his man cave having been turned into a cozy little studio that he insisted Noah and I stay in.
Everyone wondered why we didn’t simply stay at the beach house, but I wanted a fresh start somewhere where he and I shared no pain, so that’s what we have.
But it’s Valentine’s Day today, and Noah wanted to bring me to my favorite place, so who was I to deny him?
With a long, settling sigh, I look out the window as we roll to a stop in the driveway; my excitement peaks, and I’m in a rush to jump out.
So, as soon as Noah puts the truck in park, I reach for the handle, but he quickly presses the lock button, and my head snaps his way.
With a smirk, he climbs out, then reaches back in and tugs me to him. He steps between my legs, and kisses me, his hands sinking into my hair. I breathe him in, my chest swelling, my arms wrapping around his neck. He lifts me from the seat, his hands cupping my ass as he presses my back against the side of the truck.
“We should go inside,” he says between kisses.
My pulse spikes, and I nod, pressing on his chest, so he lowers me to my feet.
As I round the hood and skip to the front door of the beach house, I can’t contain my smile at the fact that Noah and I have it all to ourselves for the entire weekend.