Page 59 of Wake Me Up
“So … did you love each other when you got married?” Cane asks the question, and I can feel Freya tense up beside me.
Freya and I glance at each other, as if trying to send a secret message and decide what the hell to say to that.
Pulling in a deep breath, Freya sighs. “It’s complicated, baby. But … no. When we first got married, Tripp was just kind enough to help out our family by agreeing to be my husband.”
“What about now?” Cane throws back. “Do you love each other now?”
The corner of Cash’s mouth turns up in a knowing smirk, and Freya’s hands clasp together.
“Well …”
“They do,” Aviana chimes in. “Tripp told me so. At least, he told me he loves Mom.” She shifts her eyes from her mother’s to mine, wiggling her brows. “And helllllo … it’s pretty obvious Mom loves him back.”
I don’t know whether to hide behind one of Freya’s many throw pillows or smile because this is all happening so fucking fast, and I just hope the kids really are okay with it.
Freya fights a grin, sweeping her gaze over her kids. “Okay, it’s officially way past your bedtime. So, does anyone have any more questions before you all haul your little butts upstairs?”
Aviana shakes her head, but Cane and Cash look unfinished with the conversation. They share a few indecisive glances with each other, but it’s Cane who pipes back up.
“Are you going to move in with us?” His eyes widen. “Or are we going to move in with you?”
I signal Freya with a side-eye because I don’t want to take this question, not when I don’t have the answer.
“Not right now,” she answers. “It’s sort of like Tripp and I have just begun dating, even though we’re legally married.” She sits forward. “So, think of it like this … we still have a lot of steps before we move in together. Okay?”
“If you’re married, does that make you our new dad?” Aviana blurts the words out, and instantly, the boys tense up.
I glance at Freya, as if silently asking for her permission to say something to them, and she must read me like a book because she gives me a subtle nod.
“Look, you guys … I know I’ll never replace your father. I’ll never want to either. He will always be your dad, no matter what. But if you give me a chance to be a part of your lives, I’ll be forever grateful. And even though I’ll make mistakes, I promise to always try my best.”
Again, the boys share a look before both of them give me a small grin and a nod of their heads. They don’t say anything, but when they both come over to shake my hand, I stand up and take their hand in mine as relief washes through me.
Once they both back away before turning around and leaving the room, Aviana is next to walk in front of me, and she throws her arms around my neck.
“I’m so glad that you married my mommy,” she whispers, squeezing me tighter. “Good night, Tripp.”
“Night, sweetie,” I murmur just as she pulls away and heads upstairs, leaving just me and Freya in the silence.
The silence doesn’t last long, and soon, her body turns toward me, and she narrows her eyes playfully. “So … you told Avy that you love me?”
“I did.” I bob my head up and down.
“And you … you meant it?” she peeps. “That you love me?”
“Love you, in love with you,” I utter, smirking. “Same difference, right?” I take her hand in mine, winking. “Avy says you love me too, FYI.”
She’s full-on chewing her lip now, her cheeks turning an adorable crimson red.
“Did she now?” Her eyes shift between mine, and she’s silent. “Well … she has always been good at telling the truth,” she whispers. “And … she’s right.”
“Yeah?” I breathe out, my heart pounding in my chest. “You sayin’ you love me, darlin’?”
Her smile widens. “Love you … in love with you. Same difference, right?”
“I guess so,” I drawl.
Sliding my hand to her nape, I bring our mouths together, kissing her hard. I know I can’t take her to her bed and show her how much I really do love her because that’s a bed she shared with a man she thought she was going to spend her life with. So, I don’t push it. Instead, I kiss her again before pulling back.
