Page 69 of Worship Him

I'm stunned, my mind reeling from his words. "Adam, I..."

"Let me finish," he says, holding up a hand. "Think about it. We've been through hell, and we're still here. Still fighting. Doesn't that mean something?"

I feel a familiar tug in my chest. The same pull I felt when we first met, when we fell in love. It's still there, beneath all the pain and misunderstandings.

"It does," I whisper, surprising myself with the admission.

I look at him, really look at him. The determination in his eyes, the set of his jaw. This is the man I fell in love with, the one who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

He reaches out, taking my hand in his. The familiar warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine.

I smile, feeling truly happy for the first time in months. "I love you too, Adam. So much. I..." My voice cracks. "I could never stop loving you."

His eyes soften, a mix of surprise and hope flickering across his face.

The depth of the connection between us makes all my walls crumble. Before I can stop it, tears are rolling down my cheeks. "Every second since I left our home," I continue, my words tumbling out between sobs, "my heart's been breaking. I thought I was doing the right thing, but God, it hurt so much."

He reaches out, his hand cupping my face. His thumb gently wipes away a tear. "Destiny..."

I lean into his touch, savoring the warmth of his skin against mine. "I've missed you. Missed us."

He pulls me closer, his lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss. It's electric, familiar yet new. My body responds instantly, melting into him as if we were never apart.

I break away, breathless. "Adam..."

He pauses, his eyes searching mine.

"Yes," I whisper. "I want to start over. I want us to be a family. You, me, and Avery."

A smile spreads across his face, one I haven't seen in so long. It lights up his eyes, erasing the lines of worry that have been etched there for months.

"Say it again," he murmurs, his voice low and intense.

I can't help but laugh, even as more tears fall. "Yes, Adam. Yes to us. Yes to everything."

He kisses me again, and it's like coming home. The taste of him, the feel of his arms around me—it's all so achingly familiar.

For the first time in months, I feel whole again.

Avery's cries pull us out of the kiss, reminding us of her presence. We break apart, both of us laughing softly.

"I should probably..." I gesture towards the bedroom.

Adam nods but doesn't let go of my hand. "We'll go together."

We take care of her, and while I feed her, Adam gets ready to burp her. When he’s done, I change her diaper.

He takes her from me, sitting down in the living room. He talks softly to her, whispering about the dreams he has for her.

I watch them with a big, stupid smile on my face, tears threatening to embarrass me. They’re both so peaceful that it makes my heart swell. This is my family. I don’t ever want to lose them.

When she’s asleep again, Adam leads me back to the living room, his hold on my hand soft but firm.

We stand at window, looking out at a familiar view. We’ve watched the sun set from this spot many times before.

Tonight feels different though, as if there’s more to be shared between us than ever.

When he claims my lips once again, I don’t hesitate, and hold on to him as if I’m drowning and he’s my only source of oxygen.