Page 54 of His Determined Bear

When my knot went down, I pulled out and wrapped him gently in my arms, where we laid in front of the fire after consummating our union. Sleep soon found us both, and we drifted into the contented bliss of being wrapped around one another, with our baby sweetly nestled between us.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this just yet.

Chapter 22

Cooper

I’d told myself I was prepared for Graham to leave, but I really wasn’t. I wasn’t sure if it was hormones or the new bond that had formed between us, but my heart actually ached.

I stared outside the large airport windows, my eyes bright and glassy from fighting back the tears. You can’t cry. Not now. Wait until he’s gone. I knew if Graham saw me crying, he wouldn’t leave, but at the same time, I also knew he needed to go.His brothers needed him back to help run their businesses. They had been covering for him and doing their jobs as well. I was grateful to them for letting me have him for a little while.

I grabbed the ledge and watched one plane leave and another land on the runway. I didn’t have to turn around to know he was close. I could feel his presence. Graham touched my shoulder, and I turned around to face him, forcing a smile on my face. “Are you all set? Luggage checked in?”

He nodded. “All that’s left to do is wait.” Graham took my hand in his, and I held on for dear life.

A small part of me wanted to leave now before he did. But the thought of not spending as much time as I could with him was unacceptable to me.

“Hey, don’t look so sad,” Graham said. “We’ll see each other soon.” Why did it feel like he was trying to convince himself too?

I chuckled. “What? I’m not sad? Are you kidding me?”

A knowing, sad smile appeared on his lips. “You can’t fool me. Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”

“Hmm, want to remind me?” I tried for teasing, but I didn’t really hit the mark. Why was this so hard? Talking about it had sounded easy enough. The plan was we would go back and forth for now. But standing here looking at him at this moment, all the reasons why Graham had to leave and why I couldn’t go with him, all stopped making sense.

I pressed my hand to my chest and bit down on my lip. Why did I feel like we weren’t going to see each other ever again? Why did it feel like my heart was breaking in two? It was just twenty days. I could do twenty days.

Graham grabbed pulled me to him, and for a moment, he was able to quiet all the anxious thoughts running through my mind. His lips brushed over mine, and I melted against him, falling into the solace of the kiss, letting it wash over me.

I wish I could stay in this moment, feeling his arms around me. Waking up with that big strong body holding me like he never wanted to let go. Falling asleep with my head in his lap while we watched a movie. Everything I’d gotten used to in the short time he’d been here. But he was leaving, and it felt like he was taking a part of me with him.

When we pulled back, I finally couldn’t hold them back any longer, and I felt tears trickling down my cheeks. “Babe,” Graham whispered. He brushed each tear away with his thumbs and cupped his hands around my neck. I brought my eyes to meet his, and I could see in his eyes and on his face what this separation was doing to him too.

“I don’t have to leave today.” My heart leaped when he suggested staying, but I couldn’t do that to him.I took in a steadying breath and trudged on.

“It’s less than a month, and I’ll see you. These damn hormones have wrecked me.” I’d promised him that we could do this, so I had to keep my word and at least try not to fall apart.

Graham sighed, almost like he wished I would agree to him staying. “Seems like an eternity.”

“I know, but I bet it’ll fly by. I’ll be busy with work, and you’ll be catching up from being gone so long.” I really hoped it did.

“Next month,” Graham softly said. “You’re coming to Asheville next month. And the month after, I’ll be back here with you. We’re going to make this work. In no time, it’ll be like we’ve always done this.”

Again it felt like he was reminding himself of what we’d talked about.

I nodded because we both needed me to accept this for what it was.

He pulled me into him and whispered, “Before you know it, you’ll be back in my arms.” A whole month…how could I possibly wait that long? Graham tightened his arms around me. “I’m going to miss you.” He sighed and drew in a deep breath, and I knew he was breathing in my scent.“Keep our little one safe while I’m gone,” he whispered, his hand placed reverently on my stomach. He squatted down in front of me and whispered again, this time to my baby bump. “Daddy loves you, little one. Keep your papa safe for me.”

Graham stood back up and kissed me again, softly like he was trying to savor every moment. And I did the same, holding tight to him.

“Attention, Northwest Airline Passengers, Flight number 1125 is now boarding with nonstop service to Missoula.” The announcer’s booming voice echoed over the loudspeaker.

“That’s me,” Graham sighed as he pulled back from the kiss but kept our foreheads pressed together. “This isn’t goodbye,” he murmured, “Just see you later.”

“See you later,” I repeated, trying not to lose it right there in the airport.

Even though I tried swallowing down the tears, it didn’t really work. Graham gave a weak smile and kissed me one more time. His hands around me seemed to get tighter, and I realized I had to let go of him, or he wouldn’t go on his own.

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