Page 63 of Levi

“I do...” Kinley hesitated.

“But?” Addison prodded gently.

“Addison, he’s willing to get married, but he doesn’t want kids…” Kinley trailed off.

“Why not?”

“Because he thinks he’s like his father. I don’t think he would hurt anyone and I want to convince him that he is not like his father. But after seeing that little girl at the arena…”

“What did you say when he told you that?”

“I told him I had wanted to have kids one day, but I’d be happy just having him. I always wanted children, but if it’s a choice between Levi and having kids, I’m not sure what to do.”

“Oh no, don’t even go there,” Addison warned her. “You have to tell him you want kids. You already told him you were fine with getting married andnothaving children, so you can’t lie about it.”

“I know, but I’m just torn. I thought I was okay with it, but when he mentioned talking, my doubts surfaced.”

“If you tell him you want to have kids, he’s probably going to break it off with you. He’ll think you lied to him. Trust me on this.”

Kinley let out a deep sigh. “I’m struggling with making a decision.” She looked at Addison. “I do want kids. I always have.”

“I know you have, but…” Addison shook her head.

Kinley hesitated before answering, “I am so afraid of telling him.”

“There a lot of couples who get married and not have children.”

“I know, but they probably didn’t want kids. I do,” Kinley said.

“Kinley, I love you, but if you tell him you want to have kids, you’re going to be miserable if he walks out.”

“Maybe he’ll change his mind,” Kinley whispered hopefully.

Addison gave her a skeptical look. “Do you really think he will?”

“No,” she admitted quietly.

“I don’t either. Look, no matter what you decide, I will be here for you, but if you’re willing to let him go, then I can’t stop you.”

Kinley struggled with her thoughts, unsure of what to say. She loved Levi deeply, but the idea of never having kids was something she wasn’t sure she could do. Perhaps if she expressed her desire for children in the future, he would be willing to get married until he was ready. Despite her fear, she knew she had to tell him. It was the only way to determine their potential future together.

Addison let out a deep sigh, her brows furrowing with concern. “I didn’t mean to sound harsh, Kin,” she said softly, her voice laced with sympathy. “How long have you two been seeing each other?”

“Since November,” Kinley replied, her voice tinged with hesitation.

“So, it’s been six months,” Addison mused. “You have to make a decision about what to do and once you decide, you have to tell him. This is something you cannot keep from him.”

Kinley nodded, a small knot forming in her stomach at the thought of having this conversation with Levi. “I think I’ll tell him we should wait a while before we get married. I wanthim in my life, but you know how I feel about having kids, and that would give me time to make a decision.”

“That is not a good idea. He’ll think you were just stringing him along, thinking you could change his mind.”

“He’s been hurt enough, but I can’t be dishonest with him.”

“No, you can’t,” Addison affirmed. “I don’t envy you.”

“I don’t envy me either,” Kinley said with a shaky breath. She nervously nibbled on her bottom lip, dreading the conversation ahead and the potential of losing Levi if he couldn’t understand.

As the day went on, Kinley found it difficult to focus on anything else aside from the impending discussion with Levi. Her mind raced with worries and fears of what his reaction might be. What if he walked away from their relationship? That thought alone was enough to send a wave of anxiety through her, but she knew she had to be truthful with him.

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