Page 101 of Stolen Kisses

“Why don’t you go home? No point sitting here when I’m sleeping,” she whispers, her voice hoarse from the breathing tube.

“I’m fine where I am.” Holding her hand in mine, I rub my thumb slowly and steadily across the back of her hand, studying her closely as her eyes eventually close.

* * *

Déjà vu strikes as I pull into the driveway with three bunches of flowers for my girl along with the three kids sitting in the back seat. Dad and Preston dropped the kids at school this morning with the understanding that I would collect them this afternoon. Preston’s attitude has improved significantly since he apologized to Em and the boys. I know Emma’s certainly appreciated the changes in him and I’ve noticed the boys are happier too. Even though they hadn’t said anything, Iknowthey missed spending time with their dad.

Em’ssitting in one of the rocking chairs on her porch looking as though she’s enjoying the fresh air. The boys climb out of my truck on their own, each grabbing a bunch of blooms before running over to their mother.Em’sface lights up as she climbs to her feet.

“Hurry up, Daddy. Iwannasee Mommy.” Kenny wriggles in her booster seat, kicking her little feet.

“Okay, Munchkin. Settle down. I’m going as fast as I can.” I finally release the buckle with a chuckle and hand Kenny the last bunch of flowers after placing her on her feet. She takes off straight for Emma and the boys. She knows to be careful with Emma this time around, so I don’t have to catch her like I did last time.

Grabbing the bags of shopping out the back of my truck, I slowly make my way across Emma’s front yard. “I bought ingredients for dinner. I’ll take them inside and get everyone’s afternoon snack ready.”

She looks over the top of the kids’ heads to me, then gives me the ‘come here’ motion with her finger. Moving closer, she points to her lips, letting me know she wants a kiss. I’m always happy to lay my lips on hers, so I eagerly oblige before leaving her to catch up with her most favorite people. It’s tough to keep it chaste; whenever I touch her in any way, I never want to stop.

I’m preparing cheese, crackers, hummus, andslicedvegetables when the screen door slams, followed by the sound of the kids.

“Gather ’round kids. Your snacks are ready.” They each climb up on a stool at the kitchen counter and dig in. Lachlan goes directly for the crunchy carrot and bell pepper sticks.

The screen door slams. “Theo!” The worried tone in Emma’s voice has me stepping out of the kitchen to make my way to her as quickly as possible. “Someone’s putting a ‘For Sale’ sign in your front yard. I told him he has the wrong place, but he’s still hammering the darn thing into your grass.”

Geez, they work quickly. I only called them on Friday morning, met them on Saturday whileEmnapped inthehospital, and signed the contract with them immediately. “It’s okay, Peaches. He’s in the right place.”

Wrinkles form across her forehead as her eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. “What do you mean? Are you moving out? Where are you going? You never said any—” I cut her off with a kiss. Nipping her bottom lip followed by the top. I swipe my tongue across the plump pillows before sliding inside. She pushes me away, not so keen to continue. “What’s going on, Theo? I’m confused. I thought we were starting something, and now I find you’re moving away.”

A single tear drops over her left bottom lash, breaking my heart. Maybe I should have spoken to her about my plan? “I’m not moving away. Kenny and I are moving in here.” I point to the floor between us and her mouth drops open. “Permanently. I didn’t see the point in having two houses.” Cupping her face, I use the pad of my thumb to wipe the stray tear away.

“What? Moving in here?” She points to the floor between us. “Why would you sell your gorgeous house and move in here?” She carefully moves her arm, gesturing around us.

“Why wouldn’t we move in here with you guys? This is where you are. It’s easier to move the two of us rather than the three of you.” Iwastrying to be thoughtful, but I’m guessing I’ve done the wrong thing. “I also thought it would be less disruptive and upsetting for Lachlan.” Her face softens as her shoulders drop.

Holding onto my hips, she presses up to land a kiss on my lips. “You’re so sweet to make our lives easier. But the thing is, your house is bigger than this one. It’s in better condition, has a newer kitchenandfancy bathrooms. And what about your workshop out the back? It’s perfect for you.”

“I know, but … well, I thought I was making the right choice for you and the boys. For all of us. I didn’t want to disrupt you guys.” I whisper against her lips.

She carefully wraps her arms around me, keeping space between our bodies, and I wrap mine around her, careful not to squeeze her tight. Looking up at me, she asks, “Is this your way of asking me to move in with you?” I know she’s no longer mad or confused by the twinkle in her hazel eyes and the gentle smile touching her lips. She tips her head to the side.

“I wasn’tgonnaask, Peaches. I didn’t want to chance you turning me down. I was just going to move Kenny and me in.” I press a kiss to her lips, which quickly becomes heated.

We’re interrupted by a quick knock on the screen door before it opens and Max steps inside. He stops dead in his tracks and turns his back to us. “Uh, sorry for interrupting. I came by to check up on my sister, but I can see she’s busy being mauled.”

Em and I chuckle at her brother’s embarrassment. Pulling away, Emma moves closer to him. “Hey, Max.” He turns, reaching down to hug her carefully.

“How are you feeling?”

“Uncle Max!” The kids come running out of the kitchen. The worry lines between his eyebrows disappear as he smiles at his nephews. I notice Kenny also called him Uncle Max; she’s already made herself part of Emma’s family.The two younger kidsleap at him at the same time, and the legend that he is, he manages to catch them both. Thank goodness Lachlan’s more reserved or Max may well have ended up flat on his back.

“Hey, guys.” He kisses the kids in his arms before placing them on their feet so he can do the same with Lachlan.

We all move into the living room. Max wraps his arm around his sister’s shoulders. He kisses the top of her head and I feel a deep pang in my chest that I can no longer do that with my own sister. That I forfeited the time we had left together by living on the opposite side of the country. I rub the area in the center of my chest as the pain of my loss hits me all over again. I wonder if it’ll ever stop hurting?

Max looks at me once we’re all settled. “I saw a ‘For Sale’ sign in your front yard.Are you selling?”

Emma looks at me, eyebrows raised. “Uh, yeah. Em and I were just talking about it.”

“Theo wanted to sell his place so he and Kenny can move in here with us,” Emma adds.

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