Only Ever Yours

But him finding a way to make sure my dad and I could talk is my breaking point. Yes, I’m upset he hid shit from me. No, he never should’ve kept me in the dark. But what my dad said makes a lot of sense. Sometimes love makes us stupid. Our love is new, and instead of pushing each other away, we need to be holding each other close. We’ve already missed out on months together…

Throwing the phone on the bed, I run out of my room in search of Isaac. I check the master bedroom, where he’s been sleeping, the bathroom, then the kitchen, but he’s not in any of those places. I look outside, but he’s not there either. So, I head out to the garage, only to find it empty. I’m starting to get worried something’s happened to him, when I spot a set of stairs I hadn’t noticed before. I climb up them, wondering what’s on the third floor. When I get to the top, I open the door and find it’s an attic, only a really big one.

“Isaac, are you in here?” I yell out.

“Yeah.” He steps into view. “Is everything okay?”

I walk closer to him. “I was looking for you. What are you…” And that’s when I see an older, yet gorgeous wooden circular bassinet.

“This was mine,” he says with a small shrug. “My mom liked to keep everything. It’s old but in perfect condition, so I thought I could restore it. I just finished sanding it down and was trying to decide what color to paint it, but since we don’t know the sex—”

“A boy,” I choke out over the ball of emotion lodged in my throat. “We’re having a little boy.”

“A boy?” he repeats, his voice full of wonder. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I found out at my last appointment and all I could think about was if he’d look like you. I was devastated to not have you there, but I was also happy that through that devastation I would always have a piece of you.”

Isaac drops his chin to his chest and shakes his head. “I’m so fucking sorry, Cam. All I wanted to do was protect you.” He looks back up at me with glossy eyes. “What if Horatio didn’t save my life and you got into that truck with me? What if I showed my face and the next time he blew up our home or another vehicle? I love you so damn much, baby. I didn’t consider how badly you would be hurting, only that you would be safe… Fuck!” He slams the tool in his hand against the wall. “I didn’t even manage that! You were living with, being held captive by the fucking bastard who probably tried to kill me. I hid, and by doing so, I sent you straight into the lion’s den. If he hadn’t filed for the marriage license…”

He’s about to throw something else, but before he can, I rush toward him, wrapping myself around his body, my arms around his neck. His arms envelop me tightly, his face nuzzling into my neck. “Fuck, Cam,” he mumbles. “I’m so damn sorry. I know I fucked up…” Each of his words come out mixed with hurt and fear and apology, and I know as upset as I was at him, he was even madder at himself.

“Shh,” I say. “It’s okay. You did what you thought was the best thing for me. Just like my parents did.” I might not agree with any of their choices, but I can see now they didn’t do it to hurt me. They did it to protect me, because they love me. I’ve only been pregnant for a few months, and I already know I would do everything in my power to protect my baby.

“You could’ve been hurt. He could’ve hurt you.”

“I’m fine. I’m alive and well, and so are you. We’re going to get through this together. Just remember in the future that we’re stronger together than apart. Okay?” I pull back and our eyes meet.

“I love you so much. I promise. From now on, we’re in this together.” He leans down and presses a feather-like kiss to my lips, and I sigh in contentment.

“I can’t believe you’re really here,” I murmur, running my hands up his chest over his thin Henley. “I dreamed of this every night. Wished and hoped and prayed…” Grabbing the hem of his shirt, I lift it over his head, exposing his tight muscular pecs and six-pack abs. Somehow, they’re even more defined than they were months ago. “I knew you were alive. I felt it in here.” I place my palm over his heart, and he releases a harsh breath.

“I was so hell-bent on protecting you, I didn’t think about the stress it would cause you.” He lifts my hand and brings it up to his mouth, kissing the inside of my wrist. “I made a mistake, a shit decision…”