Page 68 of Waiting to Love You

We finish just as the timer goes off on the stove. Wanting to ensure she is occupied while I have the oven open, I pour some sweet potato puffs onto her tray. I turn off the timer as I open the oven door, and the smell of baked cheese and seasoning wafts through the room just as I hear a knock at the door.

“Coming!” I shout over my shoulder as I place the dish on the top of the stove and head for the door, wrenching it open.

My eyes widen in shock when I take in Seth standing before me.

“H-hi,” I stammer, unable to say anything else. I assumed, based on his lack of response, that he had no intention of coming here for dinner, but here he is. “How did you know where I lived?”

“It took some convincing, but Audrey told me.” He flashes me a crooked smile before stepping forward and kissing my forehead gently.

My eyes slip closed as I savor the feeling of his lips on my skin for the first time in what seems like forever.

“Is the offer for dinner still available?” he asks.

“Of course! Come on in,” I respond overenthusiastically.

I step back, leaving enough space for him to come in, then close the door behind him and watch as he looks around, taking in all the pictures of my friends, family, and Rebekah that cover my walls. He comes to a complete stop in the center of my living room, his eyes focused on our little girl sitting in her highchair directly in front of him.

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I had hoped that she would be dressed in her best outfit when she met her father for the first time, but her clothes are covered in parts of her dinner.

Seth quickly strides toward her.

“Hey, beautiful,” he whispers as he grips her tiny hand in his.

My eyes fill with tears as she grasps one of his fingers tightly. I have tried to picture this moment since I saw Seth outside the coffee shop all those weeks ago, but this is so much more than I could ever have imagined. The two of them just stare at each other in awe, as if they recognize each other.

“Although she’s never met you, I’ve told her everything I could about you. Even more since you came back into our lives.” I sniffle, not wanting to lose control just yet. “I’m sorr?—”

“Bri,” Seth’s gravelly voice, full of emotion, cuts me off.

“No, I need to get this all out. I’m sorry for not trying to find you sooner. I’m sorry that you missed so much of our daughter’s life because you were fighting for our country. You were right. I was scared. Scared of how much you meant to me and how heartbreaking it would have been if I lost you.”

A loud sob bubbles out of my throat as two strong arms wrap around my waist. Seth pulls me into his chest as I grip the front of his shirt.

“Shhhh,” he mutters as he kisses the top of my head.

I try to wrangle my emotions, but everything is too much.

He’s here.

With me. With us.

He didn’t run away.

Everything has led to this moment. Rebekah, Seth, and I are finally together as a family.

“Feel better?” His voice rumbles in his chest as I lean back, tipping my head up toward him.

I expected to see judgment in his eyes, but all I see is love. I want to tell him how I feel, that I love him in the deepest part of my soul. But as I open my mouth, he takes a step back and smiles at me softly, releasing me from his protective hold.

“Dinner is ready. The plates are next to the stove, and the silverware is here.” I point at the drawer to my right as I step around him toward Rebekah. “Let me just give this little one a bath and get her into her pajamas really quick, and I’ll join you.” I pick her up and attempt to make my escape.

“Can I help?” He brushes his hand down my arm before pulling it back and lowering it to his side.

“Of course,” I whisper as I turn and head down the hall toward the bathroom.

The thud of his work boots on the floor signals that he’s following me.

Seth told me he loved me before everything hit the fan last week, but my lies have caught up with me. I knew things wouldn’t go back to how they were immediately, but I hoped I still had a place in his heart. But judging by the way he shut me down just now, I have a lot of work to do before he will let me in again.

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