Page 75 of Everlasting Love

She’s so fucking brave.

It’s time I took some risks, too. “You’re not on your own, Blue. I promise you.”

Her lips spread slowly, and her eyes twinkle as she exhales and snuggles back into me. We lie together in the quiet of the night, her hand on my heart, our breaths in sync.

As much as it pains me, I pull out of her heat. “I need to deal with the condom. Back in a minute.”

“You’re coming back?” Hope tinges her words, and I hate that I gave her any doubts.

“Yeah, Blue. I’m coming back.” I do what I need to do and climb back into bed, ensuring I’m on the side closest to the door.

I lie on my back and she curls into my side, her head resting over my heart. Peace settles over me, and I close my eyes for a moment.

“Shane!”Jas leaps for me as soon as I step through the front door after spending the morning atThe Bunker. We needed to load up the bikes to take to a group foster home run byThe Parkerville Project, so it was a matter of giving them all a final polish and adding the decals so they were ready to go. I came home to have a quick shower before I have to head over to Mom and Dad’s so she can wish me happy birthday for tomorrow.

I chuckle as I swing her up into my arms. “Hey, Angel. Did you have fun with Poppy and Daisy?”

“Yeah. Daisy’s so funny. She follows me everywhere, even the bathroom but I missed you and Mommy.”

My heart squeezes at her words. I don’t know what I did for this little girl to give me her love and trust so easily but I’ll never take it for granted. “Well, we missed you, too.” When we weren’tbusy.

Vi steps out of the kitchen with a slight limp—I may have gotten a little carried away this morning but I can’t say I’m sorry. I mean, I’m sorry she’s having trouble walking but I’m not sorry for what we were doing. I meet her halfway and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her into me, and dip down to taste her lips. “Hey, Blue.”

“You kissed Mommy,” Jasmine almost shouts.

Without taking my eyes off Violet, I nod. “I did.”

“Kiss me, too!” She bounces in my arms and I chuckle at her excitement, then press a kiss to her forehead. She drops her head onto my shoulder with a shy grin. “I love you, Shane,” she whispers, and something weird happens in my chest. My stomach flips and I don’t recall when it happened, but I’ve loved this kid for a long time.

“I love you, too, Angel.” When I glance up at Vi, her eyes are glassy and she’s biting that pouty bottom lip of hers, one hand teasing out the bottom of her hair. I catch her eye to check in with her. “Are you okay?”

She nods slowly. “Yeah.” She wipes her finger beneath her eye and spins on her heel. “I’ve made lunch. Come on.”

I follow her into the kitchen and place Jas on her feet, then wash my hands and help set the table. We sit to eat the grilled cheese sandwiches and I ask the girls about their afternoon plans.

Jas smiles at me. “We’re weeding the garden. Aren’t we, Mommy?”

“Sure are. We probably need to do some pruning and make sure the tomato plants are fixed to their trellis properly as well.”

Jas smiles the whole time Violet explains what they’re going to do, then turns to me. “Shane, you’ll help, won’t you?”

I’ll have to message Mom and tell her I’ll be a little late. “I can help for a while but I have to visit my mom this afternoon.”

Her eyes widen. “Can I come?”

“Jas, you can’t invite yourself along. That’s rude,” Violet chastises her gently.

Jas’s face drops. “Sorry.”

I don’t like making her feel bad, and I don’t want to see her sad but am I ready for them to come with me today? Mom will be making a fuss about my birthday, which I generally don’t celebrate, and Dad will probably be his usual asshole self. Do I really want to subject them to him?

The thing is, I want a future with them. They’re important to me. I know Mom would love Jas to pieces and she’ll be thrilled to know I’m seeing someone as perfect as Violet is for me.

“If you would like to come, you’re more than welcome. I’d love to introduce you to my mom. But I need to leave here around two if that’s okay.”

“Yay! Can we go, Mommy?”

Vi’s eyes widen slightly as she looks from her daughter to me. “Are you sure?”

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