Page 104 of Their Forever Daddy

“I had something I needed to do.” Lifting the mug to her lips, she sipped, closing her eyes and savoring that first glorious hit of caffeine. “Thanks for making the coffee.”

“Welcome. What needed doing that got you out of bed before the sun even came up?”

“I’ll tell you, but not just yet. I want to wait for Jesse.”

He wanted to press. It was written all over his face, but he simply nodded and got himself another mug from the cabinet to pour a second cup of coffee. “You look… happy.”

“I am happy.” Stepping forward, she tilted her head back with a smile. “You make me happy, Grant Carter.”

“Good.” Voice thick with emotion, he threaded his hand through her hair, tugging her head back even further and sending a flash of need straight to her core. “You make me happy, too, little pixie. I’m a lucky, lucky man.”

“Mmm. Yes, yes you are.”

When he kissed her, it wasn’t the flash of need and heat she was used to. It was a slow exploration, an almost lazy dance that aroused and soothed both at the same time. And still, by the time they broke apart, every inch of her was on fire with the want of him.

“That was so fucking hot.”

Turning at the sound of their babygirl’s voice, Edie grinned. “Was it?”

Jesse nodded, her eyes bright and eager. “So hot. Do it again.”

“Later.” Though it was almost physically painful to do so, Edie stepped away from Grant and gestured toward the kitchen table. “Sit. I need to talk to both of you.”

“Uh oh.” The lust in Jesse’s gaze faded, leaving worry in its wake. “That sounds ominous.”

“Have to agree with our babygirl,” Grant said as he crossed the kitchen to sit, pulling Jesse onto his lap as if already anticipating the need to console her. “What’s going on, little pixie?”

“I went for a walk this morning. Down to the lake. Needed some time to think.”

They were both watching her now, each of their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. But they didn’t interrupt so she pushed forward. “You both know how much I love it here. The house, the animals. My girls. For a really long time, my whole identity has been wrapped up in who I am here, in Lost River. Who I am to everyone else. And I think maybe it’s time for me to figure out who I am away from here.”

“What are you saying?” Jesse asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“I’m saying… I changed my mind. I don’t want to spend any more time apart from the two of you than I have to. I don't want our lives split from one coast to another, constantly trying to juggle things to make them work. More than that, though, I think it’s time I let go of Widow McDowell and just be Edie again.” A smile tugged at her lips. “And Mommy. I’m saying I want to come to California with you. I want to travel with you. I want to be with you, both of you, and I want to see who I am when I’m not here.”

An excited squeal pierced her eardrums a moment before Jesse launched herself off Grant’s lap and straight into Edie’s arms. “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! You want to come with us? For really real?”

“Yes, baby, for really real,” Edie answered with a watery laugh. “I let you down once because I was too scared to let go. I don’t want to let you down again.”

“Oh, Edie. You could never let me down. We’re different people than we were back then. But I’d be lying if I said I’m not fucking thrilled that you want to come with us.”

“You’re sure about this?” Unlike their babygirl, Grant’s reaction was much more reserved as he rose from his chair. “I don’t want you to do something you’re going to regret just because you think it’s what we want.”

“With all due respect, Sir, I’m not doing it for you.” She grinned up at him, her head resting on Jesse’s shoulder. “I’m doing it for me. Because it’s what I want.”

“What about the animals? The girls?”

“I have some ideas. I won’t be able to pack up and leave at the end of the month, though God knows I’m tempted. But as soon as I can, I’m coming with you.”

“Oh, thank God.” Yanking her from Jesse’s arms, he wrapped her in his own, so tight she couldn’t draw a breath. “We would have made it work, for you, but it would have been so fucking hard. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for loving you. Either of you. You’re everything I didn’t know I needed, and I can’t wait to build our lives together.”

“Us too, little pixie. Us, too.”

Grant

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