Page 162 of Frozen Flames

I stay out of it.

Once Claire was back in my life, it didn’t take long for Hen to hit the refresh button with her.

Claire hands him the bottle to feed Finn.

“As cute as he is, you guys aren’t selling parenthood. I mean, look at your eyes.” Audrey shakes her head.

She’s not wrong.

We look tired. Wearetired. Despite the help we’ve received from our families with meals and even to give us a break sometimes so we can catch a nap, we’re exhausted. The change in routine itself is tiring. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. I stare at my brother and my son.

I can’t believe Finn’s in my life now.

I stare at Claire, looking stunning in her white sundress. Her hair is pinned up just the way I like it, with whisps falling naturally on either side of her face. She’s wearing her little gold hoop earrings tonight.

She looks even more beautiful to me.

I take it all in—my little family—in awe, counting my blessings. Life would be pretty bland without Henrik and Audrey in it as well.

We listen to Audrey ramble on about her idiot college professors, and by the end of the night, I can tell Claire’s ready for us to be alone again.

Once they leave, I put Finn in the bassinet next to Claire’s side of the bed. She should be using this time to sleep like he is, but I can tell she’s wide awake. It’s hard to force yourself to sleep as much as you can whenever you can as a new parent.

I’m assuming that it’s worse for her—so many worries that must come with motherhood.

Sometimes I wonder if she’s anxious about me holding the baby and not falling or making both of us fall—highly unlikely, though not impossible. I always make sure I’m as stable as possible or near furniture when I do, just in case.

I walk slowly around to my side, and finally I get in bed, lying on my back, as she faces me on her side.

I know what she’s waiting for. I texted her about my run-in with Gemma after I left the grocery store for my appointment. I don’t doubt for a second that it’s been on her mind since, and I didn’t want to discuss it in front of Hen either.

“How did it feel seeing her again?”

I chuckle. “You sound like Dr. Lee.” I tell her about our conversation, and I express some of the things I spoke to Dr. Lee about as well.

When I turn to face her, all I see is understanding and love. Any doubts or insecurities we might’ve had in the past have been replaced with a much stronger trust.

I know that the news must’ve unsettled her, especially after having a baby, but she has no need to worry. I never want to hurt a hair on her head. I never want to tarnish her heart. I hope I can always live up to the man she deserves.

That’s all I want to be.

I want to be the best father and the best husband to my family.

Nothing else in the world matters to me.

Everything else pales in comparison.

“You have nothing to worry about, Claire,” I whisper, and then I kiss her when she moves closer to me.

“I know.” She swallows.

“Claire…I know I thanked Gemma, but I realized I should be thanking you for it all. I attributed her leaving as showing me the darkest parts of myself, and that was necessary for me to end up here. Truly, though, in all ways, if you hadn’t stepped into my lifewhenyou did, beingyou, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. So you’re the real heroine of my story. And I have you to thank foreverything.”

“Oh, Harvey!” She shuts me up with a passionate kiss until her body ends up on top of mine and I’m making out with my wife, enjoying the feel of her lips against mine, her breasts against my chest, her magnetic energy spurring us on.

She’s given me—us—her all since we met, and now it’s my turn to be there for her as we dive into parenthood and the rest of our lives together.

—THE END—

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