Page 48 of Letters to the Lost

How much has she missed out on while she raised Chloe? Barely a moment to herself as she did everything for her whilst also trying to go to school to create a future for them both.

“Have you ever seenGladiator?”

I watch fascinated as she nibbles her lip as she thinks then shakes her head.

“Amazing film. A classic really. Connie Nielsen found a two-thousand-year-old ring in an antique store that she wears in the movie,” I ramble a little but cut myself off from telling her more facts, not wanting to bore her.

“That’s so cool!” Autumn gushes as we find a parking space near the back.

“Really?” I ask, shocked. I know she would listen to me telling her about the movies we were watching, but I’ve always thought she was just entertaining me.

“Of course! I love it when you tell me little facts about movies we are watching.”

“Have I told you that I love you?”

“You have,” she laughs.

God, she’s so fucking perfect, and she’s mine. I don’t think I could ever get enough of the sound of her laughing. Sounding so carefree that I can’t help but fall in love just a little bit more.

And when she smiles, God her smile can light up an entire room.

It’s why I call her Sunshine.

The first time she ever smiled at me, not the small soft smiles she gifts us but the massive blinding one that’s all teeth. It stole my breath away, my fingers had stopped mid-type, the letter W running across the screen from where my finger pressed on the key as I stared at her, entranced.

The nickname for her slipped out automatically when she was telling us about Chloe, but I don’t regret it.

I just hate that I’m the only one who hasn’t received one from her yet. Like how can I earn a nickname?

“Why don’t you have a nickname for me?” I blurt out as I turn in my seat to look at her.

“What?”

“A nickname, how come I don’t get one?”

“Oh um… I don’t know; they sort of just come to me in the moment.”

“Have you ever thought of one for me?”

“One, but it was super cringey. I’ve been trying to think of another one since.”

I watch as she visibly cringes as she thinks of it, and the caveman part of me wants it, no matter how cringe-worthy it is. I want her to claim me in this way like she has with the others.

“Tell me,” I demand, lowering my voice. I use the tone I’ll use as I demand orgasm after orgasm from her while she squirms under me.

“I can’t. It’s honestly horrible,” she whines.

“Please? It can be your apology to me instead of cookies,” I practically beg.

I don’t beg, ever.

She hesitates as she debates if it’s worth it or not, opening her mouth to speak before snapping it closed again.

“Ok! I’ll tell you. But… only if I can explain the story behind it first.”

“Let’s get comfortable first,” I say as I get out and round to her side of the car.

Opening the door with a flourish, I take her hand in mine to help her out but keep a hold on her as I lead her around to the trunk.

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