Page 110 of Only Ever You

I take her hand in mine. “Nothing but the best for my girl.”

“You know you don’t have to join me. I’m just going to sleep.”

Pulling her into an embrace, I give her a gentle kiss. “I haven’t held you in my arms for weeks. I’ll sleep with you.”

Her expression softens. “I’d like that.”

I reach for her to help her get out of her clothing, but she gently pushes me away. “You do that and neither of us will get any sleep.” She laughs, and it’s music to my ears.

How did I ever walk away from her?

I’ll be asking myself that question for the rest of my life.

“When we get back, I’m finding a therapist,” I blurt out.”

She pauses, her hands on the waistline of her skirt. “You are?”

“The way I handled everything and finding out that Mum groomed Lucas—I need help.”

Tears well in her eyes, and she nods. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“I want to be a better man for you.” I flick a glance to her stomach. “And our baby. I don’t want a marriage like my parents—always at each other’s throats. I should have told you this a long time ago.”

She cups my cheeks. “We won’t be like them. They were toxic for each other. You and I—we’re different.”

“I’m scared I’ll mess up again.”

Pippa slips her arms around my neck. “Nothing’s ever perfect. I’ll come with you to therapy if you want me to. We do this together.”

I rub her arms. “You’d do that?”

“I love you. I’ve loved you my whole life. As long as we keep communicating, we can get through anything together.”

My throat tightens. This is one of the many reasons I love this woman so much. She’s not blind to my faults, and she’s willing to support me through it. I know she’s not like my mother, who blames everything on everyone else and never takes responsibility.

I’m so in love with Pippa, it hurts.

“Let’s catch up on some sleep before we get married.” Pippa’s eyes dance with excitement. “We’ll deal with the real-life stuff when we get back.”

With a tender kiss, she drops her arms and then pushes her skirt to the floor. I’ve missed her so much. She climbs into the bed, pulling the covers over her, and I slide in beside her.

I caress her soft skin and run my hand over her stomach where the smallest of baby bumps has begun.

“I can’t believe we’re having a baby.”

“Better get used to the idea. We’ve got seven months to get ready.”

I laugh against the back of her neck and breathe her in.

“I wish I’d been there when you found out. There’s no way I want to miss another second of this pregnancy.”

She lets out a soft sigh. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

And together, against the hum of the plane engines, we drift off to sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Pippa

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