Page 69 of Falling for the Forward

She gets to her feet, Darling snorting for more attention. She walks over to the sink to wash her hands.

“You weren’t wrong. You said you shouldn’t have to fix what Tyler broke, and that’s true.”

Fuck. She’s about to leave me; I can feel it in her tone.

“I want to, though,” I say. “I can’t take back what I said about loving you--because I do. But if you’re not there yet, that’s okay. I shouldn’t have jumped you like that.”

She turns to look at me, and I can’t read the emotion in her eyes.

“If not for the girls, you never would have noticed me. Like, if we’d met under different circumstances.”

This hurts. It’s an ache in my chest. But my hockey instincts won’t work with her. I can’t fight just for the sake of fighting.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t have noticed you. And I would have missed out on the most incredible woman in the entire world.”

Her expression softens. I resist the urge to walk over to her and try to pull her into my arms.

“Suki, the girls are like daughters to me now, and they will be forever. We’ll never forget Rachel, but we also have to move on. And I’m their parent now. How many men get a chance to see how a woman parents his children from the day they meet? How many men get to see a woman heal their children?”

Tears fill her eyes. “It wasn’t just me, Carter.”

“It was more you than anyone. And even though it probably means I’ll lose you, I have to be honest. Yeah, the way you feel about the girls and the way they feel about you is part of the reason I love you. But I also love you in every other way a man should. You’re smart, funny, sexy and...everything. You’re everything and more. I come home to you because I want to. I don’t want other women because I look at you and...” I clear the emotion from my throat. “How could I?”

She looks away, tears falling from her eyes to her cheeks. “We didn’t start in a traditional way, and I’m carrying baggage that makes it hard for me to just fall in love.”

I nod, her words a knife to my heart.

“But I did anyway,” she says through tears. “I do love you, Carter. I don’t know when it happened and it’s really scary, but...I love you. And you know I love the girls.”

Our eyes lock and I’m pulled toward her. I put my hands on her upper arms, then drop to my knees in front of her.

“Suki, I know it’s fast. And we can wait if you want to. I’ll prove whatever you need me to. But...” I take a breath, fighting a lump in my throat. “I’m in love with you, and all I want in this world is for you to stay married to me forever. Or marry me again, I don’t know. Whatever you’re willing to give me, I want it.”

She’s radiant as she smiles and cups my face in her hands. “Yes. You and the girls are my life now.”

I lean forward, unable to keep a couple tears from falling as I lean my forehead against her stomach. She smooths a hand down my hair and then bends down, getting on her knees, too.

Putting my hands on her hips, I kiss her, tasting the salt of our tears. Then I kiss her again, happiness and relief making me feel weak.

Darling comes over, snorting and nudging Suki’s hand with his snout. She smiles at me.

“Our son wants some attention.”

I groan and laugh. “Are you fucking serious?”

“He’s part of the family.”

I don’t know if Hallie got it from Suki or vice versa, but Hallie’s always saying that.

“Fuck it.” I rub the top of his head. “Darling, you’re uglier than I thought my son would be, but looks aren’t everything, right?”

“Stop it, he’s adorable.”

“Maybe our future kids will look more like you. I hope so, anyway.”

Our eyes meet, anticipation building inside me as I wait for her response.

“I wouldn’t mind a serious little boy with dark hair like yours.”

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