Page 24 of Safe and Sound

“What?”

“Ava got some of the details wrong, bless her heart, but for the most part she got it right. I met you on a dating site. Ididn’t tell them what kind of site it was. That will be our little secret. And they do need to meet you, not as their daughter or stepdaughter, but as my future wife.”

“But, Ren, what about what they will think? What will they…?”

Before I can finish, Ren walks to the door and opens it. My mom rushes in with a hug just for me.

“Estella, are you alright, sweetheart? I was so worried about you but the, um, doctor said it was normal.”

“Doctor?” I look to Ren.

“The woman in here before. It took me a little while to find a female because there was no way I was letting you have a male do it.”

“Mom, you…you know?”

She nods and gives me a smile before scooting onto the bed beside me, “It was shocking when we first found out, but,” she looks up at Ren who is standing close by, “I want you to be taken care of and loved and I know -I can see- how much Rennik loves you.”

Her words hit me so hard that I had to reach out to try to find balance. Ren is right there, taking my hand in his. Does he…love me like I love him? Is it true?

“And he took such good care of you, making sure you have the best.” She leans over and tries to whisper but my mom…hasnever been quiet a day in her life. “Ben says Ren has never been like this with anyone before.”

Ren smiles and gives me a nod, agreeing with her.

“I was a little concerned about the timing, of course, but apparently, I got that wrong. That’s why Ren has been coming over less and less over the past couple of months. He was giving you time.”

“Can I have a few moments with, Stella, Ava? To make sure she’s alright.”

“Of course. I’ll be downstairs with Ben and the doctor waiting on you two. Take your time.” She turns and winks at us as she leaves and pulls the door shut behind her.

As soon as the door closes I am talking, “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have ran but…mom, she told me you had someone else and…” My voice breaks like my heart breaks at the reminder of how much it hurt.

“I know, baby. You were hurt and a lot of that is my fault." I look at him with confusion written all over my features. How was any of this his fault? "I should have told you, should have said the words. I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time now.”

“But you didn’t…in the morning, you stopped…”

“I didn’t want to slobber all over you if you felt like shit first thing in the morning. I should have found a better way of not touching you, of giving you time, but…”

“I missed it. It broke my heart when I thought…you didn’t want me anymore.”

“No, baby.” He comes to me and cups my face peppering it with kisses. “God, no! I want you badly every minute of every day. It’s hard for me not to touch you and not want my mouth and hands all over you.”

“How long have you known?”

“About a week now. I started doing research and trying to learn as much as I could so I would know what to do. And of course, trying to find a good doctor.”

“You…”

“I wanted to tell you gently, maybe during one of our baths. I never imagined Ava and Dad would come back so soon.”

“You were doing it all for me?”

“I do everything for you, sweetheart. Including looking into homes close to your mom and dad.”

I snap my eyes back to his face. “What? You are looking for homes for us? But, what about here?”

“Here will always hold a special place in my heart, baby, but it’s time to think about something a little bigger.”

“No! We first made love here! We made our baby here!”

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