Page 69 of Dangerous Encore

---

"Then you neverwantthem."

"And you're… you're okay giving that up to bewithme?"

I nod. "I'd give up anything to bewithyou."

Her expression softens. "That's sweet, but…"I'm not sure Ibelieveyou.

"I mean it, angel. Nobody else makes me feel like you do." I run my fingers through her hair. "I'd fucking love to have a family with you. But only if it's what youwanttoo."

Shenods.

"Whatever you decide, I'llloveyou."

She presses her forehead against my chest. "Things would have to change. A lot. I couldn't work this job. Not with you ontheroad."

So she'sconsideringit.

She wantsiteven.

A lot would have tochange.

A fucking scary amount of shit would have tochange.

No wonder she's torn upoverthis.

I run my fingertips over the back of her neck. "I don't have to be ontheroad."

"But drumming is your life. Music isyourlife."

"There are other ways to makemusic."

"You'd give that upforme?"

Inod.

She blinks back another round of tears. "I… I don't know whattosay."

"You don't even know if you're pregnant. Take the test before youfreakout."

She laughs. "Way too lateforthat."

I pull her closer. "I love you so fucking much. Youknowthat?"

She nods. "I loveyoutoo."

"It's okay you'rescared."

"Yeah?"

"That you're thinking you might notwantthis."

"I don't know what I'm thinking." Her voice is soft. "It could be good. I can see us having a family. You playing on the floor with our kid. Me reading to her. The three of us doing all that stupid touristy stuff at Disneyland together. But it would change everything else, and I'm not sure… I'm not sure I'm ready for everything else tochange."

I can seeittoo.

But she'sright.

I can't fathom the rest of my life with a kid. I don't want to be like my dad, only showing up when it suits myschedule.

---