This is Love by (Checkmate Duet 2)

“I just wish you’d told me sooner.” I can hear the change in his voice now, and it’s coated with sadness. “Were you even going to tell me if you didn’t plan on coming back?”

Guilt washes over me, and I can’t look at his sad eyes. “I didn’t think you’d want anything to do with me after the way I left, and I couldn’t bear it. I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out, but I was scared.”

“Princess…that really hurts to hear you’d ever think that. I’ve wanted you since before I even knew what it meant to need someone that much. It would ruin me to lose you for good.”

I can’t hold back the tears anymore, and he catches them with his thumb over my cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

“I would’ve been there for you every minute you needed me. I would’ve flown to Boston in a heartbeat. You aren’t alone, Viola.”

“Travis, I’m really sorry. I’m an idiot. I know I should’ve told you sooner, but I was so scared how you’d react, and it didn’t really hit me at first. I know that’s not a valid excuse, but I’m so sorry for hurting you. I don’t ever want to do that again,” I tell him, and I mean every word.

“Princess,” he says, brushing a strand of hair off my face. “I understand you were scared and it’s okay now. It’s all going to be okay. I’ll always be here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”

He kisses me again, and it feels so natural and right. I didn’t expect him to be this understanding. I played every scenario over in my head, and worst case, I’d be alone. I’d be a single mom, and he’d never want to see me again.

“Does Drew know?” he asks with a pointed look.

“Yeah, he does. I told him yesterday.”

“Oh, okay; good. I wasn’t sure if I should expect him to punch me in the face sometime soon.”

“Well, maybe. But it wouldn’t be for this,” I say with a smirk.

“So, then he took it well?”

I shrug and purse my lips. “Minus a few choice words, yeah I’d say he did.”

“And your parents?”

“Not yet. Soon, though.”

“We can do it together,” he says confidently.

I wrap my arms around him and pull his face to mine, so I can kiss him once more. I tell him I’ll be right back and walk toward the kitchen because I’m in desperate need of some water.

As I glance over my shoulder at him, I see him watching me and admiring my new waddle. I study him and no longer see the boy I fell in love with all those years ago, but a man who will be the father of our baby. An amazing father.

“Damn, your ass looks great.”

I glare at him. “I feel huge and disgusting.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re beautiful, princess.”

Once I reach the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and walk right back to where he’s waiting for me on the couch.

“So, do you know if it’s a girl or a boy yet?”

“No, I didn’t want to find out until you knew.”

He smiles and brushes his hand over the stubble on his chin. “Okay, good. So what is your due date? Do you know when you have your next appointment? Oh, my God. I just realized I’ll need to tell my mother.”

I let out a chuckle at all of his questions, but I understand, it’s all a little overwhelming.

“Well…I’m due in late February. I made an appointment for Wednesday at three, and then the ultrasound will be right after that, but if you can’t make it, it’s totally fine.”

“February,” he repeats, nodding. “I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go together. I will never be too busy for you.” He reaches for my hand and pulls me closer until I’m against his chest. He closes the gap between us with his lips, and when he kisses me, it’s so easy to close my eyes and be transported back to six months ago—before our blowout, before Boston, and before the pregnancy. Travis and I have never had a ‘normal’ relationship, and now with a baby in the picture, it could get even more complicated, but as I feel his body pressed against mine, I feel nothing but happiness. Complicated or not, I know he’ll keep his promise to me. He’ll be there for the baby and me and won’t allow me to do this by myself, even if I begged him because he’s stubborn like that. Travis King is going to be a wonderful dad, and I’m going to be an awesome mom, and we’re going to have a beautiful baby together. It still feels surreal. Even with him here with me—elated—it doesn’t seem real.

“I’ve missed your lips,” he says, pulling my lower lip into his mouth and releasing it.