Page 77 of Always Right

“Hey Dylan,” he paused, turning once more to face me. “It’s good to have my brother back.”

Chapter 28

Hannah

Being back in the city after all the changes that happened over the course of the last few days was daunting. I was married, living with my husband and getting used to this new life we had started together. I smiled at the irony of it all, going from anger to love in just a matter of days, though it wasn't fair to say because the love had always been there. Even if things were different...it felt right. Like being with Derek, like having him in my home, in my life was always how it was supposed to be.

I prepared my things for the next day, packing up the diaper bag and making sure everything my girls needed was ready before I went back to the gallery. They squealed as they crawled around the floor, refusing to sleep even though it was way past their bedtime. I didn’t mind, enjoying these last moments of our winter vacation with them despite knowing I would have to leave them.

When I was done, I sat on the floor, watching them as they raced toward me, the sound of their happiness warming my heart. They could always do that with their smiles, with their beautiful green eyes looking up at me like I was their world. The thought sent a pang straight to my chest.

I loved them, and one day they would leave...one day they would learn the realities of life and find the joy and the pain...and though I couldn’t stop it, I hoped they would always know they would have somewhere to turn. My girls giggled as they sat on my lap, both of them trying to grab my hair and I laughed, shaking my head at their silliness when one of them grabbed a handful of my hair and tried putting it in my mouth.

“You’re gross.” Isa squealed while Annie grinned, clearly planning in that silly little head of hers.

I glanced up, smiling when I saw Derek standing at the door, his gaze soft with love and adoration as he looked at our girls. He’d left to pick up things from his apartment, and I hadn’t heard him get back. He walked toward me, pecking my lips as he sat next to me on the floor. The girls immediately extended their arms to him and soon, they were in his arms, cuddling with their father. He had that effect on them, calming...peaceful.

I was glad that I had decided all those months ago to let him into their lives.

It would have been a terrible decision to take that from them.

From him.

“Did you get everything you needed?” I asked Derek.

He offered me a small smile before nodding. He was lost in thought, quiet and reserved until Annie reached up and pulled his lips up so he’d smile. Derek chuckled then, pressing a kiss on her forehead.

“If anyone would have told me a year ago that this would be my life, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.

“I hope that’s a good thing.”

He smiled. “It’s the best thing.”

After a few more minutes, we set the girls down to sleep in their crib, watching them as they drifted off to sleep after their disrupted schedule. Derek closed the door behind him as softly as he could, too afraid to wake them before turning to face me. He cupped my face in his hands, his lips locking with mine in a gentle kiss. I hummed, my heart racing at the action.

“Back to reality tomorrow, huh?” he murmured, brushing my hair away from my face.

“Mmhm.” My eyes fluttered closed when he nuzzled my neck, the feel of his lips against my skin causing my body to awaken. “I bet you’re ready to go back to the restaurants...get some quiet after dealing with me all week.”

He chuckled, lifting me off the floor until my legs wrapped around his body. “No. I can’t get enough of you.”

“I’m not sure you’ll say that in a few months when you’ve grown tired of my shit.”

Derek laughed, carrying me over to the bedroom—our bedroom—and setting me on the bed. He towered over me, his green eyes teasing and mischievous and yet so loving. I didn’t think he could hide it even if he tried. I hoped he could see the same love in mine.

“You’re crazy if you think I could ever get tired of you.”

I raised an eyebrow, smiling up at him. “You sure it’s not possible? I am a bit of a mess.”

“Yeah...but you’re my mess and that’s all that matters.”

I hoped he always loved me that way...so unconditionally...so raw and pure. I reached up, kissing him and he smiled against my lips. No one would ever make me feel as complete as he could. No one would ever love me like him.

One day, when he saw the depth of my darkness, how deep I had been wounded and how hard it had been for me to get out of it, he would look at me differently but for now...I would savor every moment. I would savor every kiss because I had to believe nothing would change. I had to believe that Derek would love me just the same as he did in that moment because our love wasn’t fragile.

Not anymore.

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