Page 65 of Healed Hearts

“It seems that way, baby girl. Are you hungry?”

She nods as Roman and Beck walk past us into the kitchen. Holden stands and comes over to us, stopping in front of me. “Good morning, darlin’. I hope you slept well.”

“I did. Did you?”

I reach out with my free hand, pulling him into my side. “I really did.”

“I’m gonna go help with breakfast. You wanna come too?”

“Lead the way.”

Holden worked the last two days. The first night he stayed with me. We cooked dinner together after his shift, and he sat with me while I read Wren a bedtime story. We showered together and slept. Work kicked his ass, and he was exhausted, but last night he went home. He wanted to get caught up on laundry and spend some time with Roman and Beck. I get it, and I understand it, but it still sucks. I miss him so much. It’s, frankly, a little ridiculous.

I glance at the clock again, willing it to move faster, but it doesn’t. He plans on coming back here tonight, and as previously established, I’m ridiculous. I’ve been sleeping on my own for three years, but now it’s like I don’t know how to relax without his weight pressing down on me.

He is the cuddliest person I’ve ever met in my life. If he’s not sprawled out on top of me, he wants me wrapped fully around him. If I roll in my sleep, he’s adjusting until he’s Velcroed back to me. Wren has always been pretty chill and self-contained and has slept best on her own. Co-sleeping was never something we did until she started feeling bad. But that was mostly my desire to keep her with me. Occasionally, she’ll wake up in the middle of the night and come into my room, wanting to climb into bed with me, but that’s a rare occurrence.

Even Maya, who enjoyed physical touch, wasn’t big on night cuddles. She wanted her space. She was fine resting her head onmy chest for a minute, but by the time she was ready to sleep, she rolled over and that was that.

As strange as it is to have someone who wants to be attached to me all the time, I’m finding that I enjoy it. I actually more than enjoy it, since it’s almost impossible for me to sleep now without Holden.

I’m fucking exhausted, and it’s one hundred percent because he wasn’t in bed with me last night.

My phone buzzes, so I lean over to pick it up.

Ruby

Can I have Wren for the weekend? I’d like if you and Holden would come for dinner as well.

I smile at my phone. She hasn’t had her in over a week, so I know she’s dying to see her.

Me

I’ll have to ask Holden how he feels about dinner. He’s worked today and the last two, so I want to make sure he’s not too tired. Plus, it will be late.

Ruby

That’s totally fine. I can plan for a late dinner if he wants to come. What time would it be?

I exit off our messages and text Holden.

Me

Ruby wants Wren to stay the night and wants to know if you’d like to come for dinner?

His response comes in within a few minutes.

Holden

That would be great. I should be at your house by 7:30. We can leave as soon as I change?

Me

Sounds perfect, darlin’. I love you.

Holden

:) I love you too.

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