Page 30 of Spring Forward

Carson chuckles as she steps back from me, but the smile on her face is forced. I hate it. She tips up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve just been thinking a lot lately about what going forward looks like. I’m glad you’ve found your forward.”

Before I can stop her, Carson slips away and heads right toward Dad and Macklin who look like they are having a very serious conversation, even as Dad keeps looking toward the dance floor where August is charming Mom. I can only shake my head and chuckle as I catch Delaney’s eye from across the room.

We start moving toward each other as if the pull between us can no longer stand not being recognized and fed. I’m a little surprised I’ve given her as much space as I have today.

“Hey,” she whispers when we’re standing in the middle of the dance floor, our toes practically touching.

“Freckles,” I rumble.

My arm hooks around my woman’s waist and I pull her against me, unable to stand any distance between us. The way her body molds to mine is pure fucking magic and I barely stifle the groan that wants to come from the back of my throat. There’s no way I’ll be able to tame my cock though, not when she is pressed against my body.

We start moving together, the music a simple melody that encourages our easy movements. Being with Delaney is always this way. There’s something so effortless about it.

It makes me crave her.

It makes me protective of her.

It makes me want to never let her go.

A whoop of surprise and excitement fills the tent, and everyone turns to where Fletcher is staring at his woman with an emotion I’ve never seen on his face before. The tears streaming down Eden’s cheeks would be concerning, but the smile on her face tells me they’re tears of joy.

“I wonder what’s going on,” Delaney murmurs and I nod.

Fletcher cups Eden’s face as he shouts, “Are you serious right now, my Shooting Star?”

She nods and swallows hard, her hands coming up to wrap around Fletcher’s wrists. Macklin walks toward them, his steps tentative like he’s not sure if he can be included or if he even wants to be. Fletcher glances down at him and releases one of Eden’s cheeks to reach down and tuck little man against his side.

“Daddy?” Macklin’s voice is tentative but so damn sweet.

Fletcher asks Eden a question without words, and she nods slowly. The next thing I know, Fletcher drops down on hishaunches and gives all his attention to the little boy who is the son of his heart. “Mack,” his voice is thick with emotion, “today is very special. Not only did I marry your mama and get a son, but I’ve gotten another very special gift today.”

“You did?” Mack’s voice is full of wonder as his wide eyes blink at the man who has become more of a father than his sperm donor ever was.

Fletcher leans in slightly and whisper yells, “I just found out you’re going to be a big brother.”

Macklin lets out a gasp of surprise before looking up at Eden who is nodding with a soft smile on her face. The whoop of joy that comes out of Mack is even louder than the one Fletcher let out. Then he’s running across the tent like a shot.

“Gran’pa, we were right. We were right,” he screams as he races back toward Dad.

Fletcher wraps Eden up in his arms and lifts her until her feet are barely skimming the ground. He spins her in a circle slowly and carefully before he slams his mouth down on hers.

I look down at Delaney to find her wiping a tear off her cheek and I focus back on her and start dancing again. When she looks up at me, all I can see is love shining back at me.

“Noel Burns,” her voice is a gentle rasp, “I don’t know how you managed to do it or when it happened. Maybe it started the moment I stepped out of my car that first day, but you need to know that I’ve fallen in love with you. You deserve to know, to feel it.”

“Delaney,” I breathe out, my grip on my woman tightening, “I love you. So damn much.”

When I kiss her, it’s slow and sweet. I want her to feel every ounce of love I have for her, and I want it to slide in between all the cracks left behind by loss, grief, and the sacrifices she’s had to make.

Even though she was brave enough to say the words, which I’m damn proud of her for, she didn’t tell me she’s staying. Not yet.

But she loves me.

For tonight, it’s enough.

I have faith that the rest will come. As Carson put it, she’s my forward. No matter whether she’s going or staying, I’ll be at her side.

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