ld scare you...or something. But now I know better. I trust you. I trust us.” She paused. “And I’m so glad you’re their father.” She put his hand on her stomach. “And Cody’s father.” She stood on tiptoe, twining her arms around his neck. His arms slid around her back. “I packed Option A. You’d mentioned burning it? Or shredding it. Your call. It’s not what I want.” Her gaze held his. “I know I can make it on my own. But, for the first time in my life, I don’t want to. I need you.” Her voice wavered. “I don’t have any way to show you what you mean to me, Ryder...nothing that compares to this.” She gestured to the house with one hand, holding on to his with the other.
He rested his forehead against hers, her words filling all the empty spaces in his heart. She needed him. She wanted him. She loved him. He had everything he’d always wanted. “Say it again,” he murmured, stooping to kiss her full lips.
“I love you,” she whispered, her hands cradling his face as she pressed kisses along his cheek and nose. “I love you.”
“I’d say that’s a mighty good place to start, Princess.”
* * * * *