Page 156 of A Major Puck Up

Tears continue to track down my face as I shake my head.

Panic flashes in his eyes, and he gasps like he can’t catch his breath. He’s clearly getting the wrong idea.

I press my hand to his cheek and channel calm, hoping he can feel it. “Can I speak now?”

He swallows and nods, his movements jerky.

With a hum, I brush my thumb along the length of his jawline. “You didn’t let me tell you the other day, but I need you to hear this.” I clear my throat and pause to make sure he’s truly listening rather than panicking. “I love you. I thought I loved you before, but now that I know what you did for Vivi, what you did for both of us? I love you even more fiercely. You deserve my love. You always have. We’ll figure out a way to keep Vivi. She’s ours. We’ll fight for her together.”

Gavin sucks in a shocked breath, then he stutters, his mouth working, but no words come out.

I smile up at him, hoping he can hear just how earnest I am about it all. We’re doing this. “I love you,” I rasp.

Angling over me, he presses a kiss to my lips. Then he pulls back, his expression filled with awe. “I love you too, Peaches. So much.”

I grasp the front of his shirt to keep him close and press another kiss to his lips. Though I’m not ready to let him go, I press against his chest and shift my attention to my father.

“I know this isn’t what you wanted, but please, Daddy, try to understand. Gavin and Vivi—they’re what I need. Until I met Gavin, my life was filled with people who only kept me around because I was convenient or because I could give them access to the things they wanted. A way to get to you or Daniel, and later Lake. But Gavin—I was the most inconvenient person in the world for him to fall for, and he did anyway. Please be happy for us, Daddy. I love him, and I love Vivi. I’m happy.”

My father’s face crumples, and he takes a giant step closer. With his forehead pressed to mine, he wraps his arms around me. “Of course, Mills. I’m so glad you’re okay. I love you.”

“I love you too, Daddy. And I’m so sorry we lied to you. That we hid our relationship.”

He takes a heavy breath, then presses a kiss to my head. “It’s going to take some getting used to.” He looks at Gavin, his brow furrowed. “But I’ve known Gavin for a long time, and I’ve never seen him the way he is with you.”

Gavin deflates in relief and closes his eyes, and when he blinks them open, they’re filled with tears. I squeeze his hand. God, I wish I could take the pain and uncertainty away from him.

“It’s clear he loves you and, well, I guess that’s the most a father could hope for. I’m just glad you’re okay. Don’t worry about me. I just want you to focus on getting healthy.”

My heart beats wildly as the anxiety that’s plagued me for months ebbs. All the secrets, all the hiding…it’s over.

“Okay, now that we’ve resolved that,” Beckett interjects, “can I tell you how I’ve already gotten Vivi’s birth mother to agree to the adoption? I was supposed to have a meeting with Sebastian to finalize signing over his rights”—he snaps his wrist and tugs at his jacket sleeve, uncovering his watch—“five minutes ago. I told him we’d have to reschedule.”

My heart stops, and I hold my breath.

Gavin grips my hand as he stares at his brother. “What?”

Chin tipped high, Beckett gives Gavin a smug smirk. “God, for someone who goes on and on about wishing people would talk, you do a terrible job of letting us do it.”

“Beckett,” Gavin grits out. “Speak clearly and slowly.”

Beckett only smiles wider. “She’s yours, Gav. If you want her, Vivi is all yours.”

Swaying a little, Gavin bows his head and locks eyes with me. In this moment, our entire world shifts again.

“Ours,” he says firmly, bringing my hand to his cheek and nuzzling against it. And then he utters the three most beautiful words. “She’s our daughter.”

FIFTY-EIGHT

MILLIE

“You don’t have to carry me. I can walk.” Even as I say the words, I know the man won’t put me down. He strides straight through the living room into his bedroom, pressing a kiss to my lips before depositing me on his bed.

“No moving until I’m back,” he says with a stern glare. He knows me well. Vivi is in Sara and Brooks’s apartment and I’m dying to see her. It’s been three days since the accident. What if she’s forgotten what I look like? What if she thinks I abandoned her?

Even as I scramble forward, I know it’s a losing battle.

Gavin places a hand on my thigh. “Millie, I know you love to be a brat. It’s our thing, and normally it works for me, but right now, I’m going to need you to fucking listen for once. I won’t be able to breathe if something happens to you. Just stay.” His words pierce me. The man is pure exhaustion right now. “Please,” he adds when I have yet to reply.

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