Page 95 of When We Were More
“I choose you, Matilda. Every day, I will always choose you. Do you understand me?”
She doesn’t reply, and tears stream down her cheeks.
“Do you?”
She nods.
“You don’t have to be afraid of what you might become by loving me because I’m going to live every single day you’ll allow me to building you up, reminding you how beautiful you are inside and out, and loving you how you deserve to be loved. I’m never going to make you give up anything that makes you happy or do things that cause you discomfort. I might be a little bossy, but when you call me out on it, I’ll get it in check. I love you, Matilda. It scares the hell out of me when I think about how I’d go on if I ever lost you, but it doesn’t change the fact that I love you.”
I don’t know what I expect her to do when I stop speaking, but I’m pleased when she leans forward and kisses me.
When she leans back, she peers at me with bright eyes—no more tears.
“I love you, Henry. Maybe we can be scared together until we’re not anymore.”
“Really?” She nods, and I feel like everything is right with the world. “You’ve got a deal.”
I lower my mouth to hers, getting lost in the taste of her until she pulls back a little.
“I have an issue with one thing you said, though.”
“Yeah, what’s that?” I cover her neck in kisses while I wait for her answer.
“I still want you to be bossy in the bedroom, sometimes. I like that,” she whispers.
I groan and don’t give her a chance to take it back before I’m standing, holding her gorgeous body up with her legs wrapped around me and carrying her upstairs.
CHAPTER 35
Two months later
Tillie
I can hear poor Lena’s cries before Henry even opens the front door to the cabin. It breaks my heart, especially because I remember from childhood how much an ear infection hurts. Relief replaces the look of stress on Henry’s face when I enter, and I immediately set my bags on the ground and pull out the children’s ibuprofen. Getting a dose in Lena is my priority.
“I’m sorry I had to ask you to stop at the store on your way over, Matilda. I honestly thought I had a second bottle. Thank God, I had the acetaminophen to hold us over.”
I focus on Lena and getting the medication into her mouth. She resists at first, then opens when she tastes the flavor.
“Please, Henry. It’s nothing. It’ll be easier when we’re all in the same place, though. Two minds to remember things and to help each other.”
I use my finger to scoop a small amount of stray medicine from Lena’s chin into her mouth, then I lean in and kiss herforehead. When I step back to pick up my bags, her howling cries escalate in both volume and pitch.
“Ma-ma-Mama!” Henry and I both freeze, and my eyes dart up to his. I pull Lena to me as her outstretched arms make it clear I’m who she wants.
“Henry, did she just?—”
“Call you Mama? Yeah, I think she did.”
I try to read the expression on his face, his wide eyes and slightly open mouth don’t give me clear signals on how he’s feeling. Once in my arms, Lena’s cries become less intense, and she eventually rests her head on my shoulder as heartbreaking whimpers escape her.
“I’m sorry. I promise I didn’t teach her that. Maybe she heard Chase calling Shannon that at work.”
I think about how much time the children spend together in the secure play area Henry built in the room behind Shannon’s and my desks at work. That has to be it. Henry steps over to me, puts his hand on Lena’s shoulder blades, and kisses the back of her head.
“I’m not mad. But are you okay? That’s probably a lot.”
“I’m fine if you are,” I whisper.
