Page 154 of Forbidden Lyrics

“Yes.”

“Good. Because that’s what I was thinking about in there. How much easier it would be if she were ours instead of Em’s. Not that I don’t think she’s going to be a great mom, but I couldn’t help but picture you.” He swallows thickly. “And I want that. I want that more than just about anything.”

My heart feels so full that it could burst at any second.

With a watery smile, I admit, “I want that too, Gibbs.”

“Promise me that no matter what that test says, you’re all in.”

All in.

On us. Our future. No matter the situation.

It’s a tall order.

But it’s one that I can’t imagine turning away from.

“I already promised––”

“I need to hear it again, Dove.”

I close my eyes, ignoring the bittersweet reality that he might already have a baby. And it isn’t mine. But it doesn’t change the truth. I am all in. And I’m not going anywhere.

Licking my lips, I peek over at him, the light sheen in his hazel eyes making my stomach tighten with appreciation and a need so heavy that I’m afraid I might burst. “I promise––”

He captures my mouth with his, cups my chin, and bares his soul to me. His hurt. His pain. His anxiety. His hope. Everything. And I take all of it, bearing the weight and the helplessness of the situation while trying to lift him up the same way he’s managed to lift me over and over since we first met.

And I know without a doubt that I’m not going anywhere. Come Hell or high water, Gibson’s it for me. No matter what baggage comes with him. No matter how many sleepless nights he might cause. No matter how many airplanes or tour buses are in our future or how many Baby Mamas might pop up from his past. He’s it for me. And I want that dream. The baby that’s half him and half me. The baby that has his smile and my eyes. The baby that’s obsessed with music, and singing, and little guitars.

I want it all.

With him.

No matter what.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Dove

“Hey, Mads. How’s she doing?” I ask, my phone pressed to my ear. The past four days have managed to move at a snail’s pace while still feeling like a whirlwind of chaos. But it’s the waiting and the unknown that’s been killing me.

I turn off the bathroom light and head to the kitchen for a drink of water, eager for the latest update on Peanut. As soon as Maddie was released, I drove her home. She turned right back around, anxious to see her mini-me as quickly as possible. But I get it. I’m only the aunt, and I’m already obsessed. Heck, I saw Peanut earlier today, and I already miss her like crazy. Which is why I’m calling Maddie––again––for an update.

“Good,” Maddie tells me. “The doctors are impressed with how fast she’s catching up. They don’t want me to get my hopes up, but they think she might be able to go home within the next twenty days or so. I’m going to come home and shower in a bit and pack another bag to stay at the hospital. They offered me a room, and I’m going to take them up on it.”

“That’s awesome, Maddie. I’m happy she’s doing so well.”

“Me too.” She drops her voice an octave. “Have you, uh, have you heard anything yet?”

Even though she can’t see me, I shake my head and stare at the empty glass in my hand before setting it back in the cabinet. I’m left parched and wanting but too distracted to do anything about it.

Waiting for the paternity results has been miserable. I don’t know what to do. What to think. What to hope for. I’m lost. But I can’t be lost right now. Gibson needs me. Maddie needs me. My niece needs me.

“They told Gibson it would be any day now,” I murmur after a beat of silence before softly closing the cabinet’s door. “He put your number on the contact info, too, though, so if they contact you––”

“I know, Dove. I was just curious, I guess. But if I hear anything first, I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks,” I mumble, resting my forehead against the chipped white cabinet.

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