Page 119 of Free to Run
It was frustrating.
It was Keene’s idea.
One night, about a month after I came back, when we were sitting in his condo and he was rubbing his hands over my protruding stomach, he told me our lack of sex wasn’t due to lack of interest. He was trying to give me the courtship I should have had. Here we were, about to have a child, and we barely knew a thing about each other. He confessed that wasn’t what he wanted to tell our daughter—that we rushed into everything, including our physical intimacy. He wanted to understand me and for me to understand him. He wanted me to know who was going to be by my side for the rest of my life.
My pregnancy hormones wanted to kill him. My heart wanted to jump him even more. I settled back, waited, had faith, and believed.
I was well rewarded.
The first time Keene and I came together after I came home was earth-shattering. I was sitting in bed, writing in my pregnancy journal when he came in, in all his naked glory, with a bandage around his thigh.
Tossing the journal aside, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and pushed myself up. “What happened? What happened to your wound?” Since I was well aware Keene had been shot in the leg protecting Caleb years earlier, I had every right to be concerned.
Sheepishly, he cleared his throat. “Nothing…exactly.” Slowly, he peeled the bandage back, and I stumbled to the bed for purchase.
His tattoo.
Hooking off his sister’s name, he entwined his mother’s name, the name we chose for our daughter. And at the base of the maze of names, my name.
“Keene.” My hand involuntarily reached out to trace around the reddened area.
He looked down at his leg and grinned. “Came out fantastic. All the women who own a piece of my heart, with you at the foundation.” His fiery green eyes met my tearful blue ones. “It’s always been you, Alison. It will always be you. I need you to carry me through the big things, the little things, the crazy things, the Phil things.”
I let out a hiccup and a sob.
“We worked before. We work better now. I’ll give you as much time as you need to be ready for forever, but you’re it for me, Alison. There will be no other after you.” Keene cupped my face and tipped my chin up before kissing me with such tenderness.
Slowly, carefully, he lowered me back to the bed before he made love to me, pouring every ounce of love he had into it.
I’ve never had a doubt about his love and absolute trust since then.
* * *
The upstairs roomat Daniela Trattoria is empty, with the exception of Kalie and me. You would never know there’s anything earth-shattering about to happen unless you happened to take notice of tables covered with white tablecloths that are scattered with amaryllises.
Jared and Ryan arrive first. “I can’t believe you managed to pull this off.” Jared shakes his head. He’s the only one who knew what I was planning, as I needed to know if he could marry us legally in New York.
“We have to do it again in front of a clerk to make it legal tomorrow,” I say ruefully. “Kalie, honey. Can you leave the flowers alone?”
“Pretty!” my daughter exclaims. Ryan saves the day as he scoops up his honorary niece and kisses her neck, causing her to squeal in delight.
“When is everyone else due to arrive? You look stunning, by the way,” Ryan says. He’s holding my daughter away so she doesn’t kick me as he leans in to kiss me.
“Thanks. My nerves are all over the place.” I press a hand to my stomach when I hear footsteps on the stairs. I’m petrified that Caleb won’t be able to keep Keene at the office until the agreed-upon time. Caleb thinks I’m planning a special anniversary dinner, as it was two years ago today since I came home.
Oh, it’s going to be special.
Georgio, who knows Keene, Kalie, and me from many a dinner at the trattoria, comes out from the kitchen with a tray of food. “Ali, where do you want these appetizers?”
Scanning the small upstairs space, I point against the brick wall. It will keep them away from Kalie and still allow us room to maneuver.
Providing Keene says yes when I propose.
Jesus, did I remember his ring? I run over to my purse and unzip it. Letting out a sigh, I find the rings. I need a drink, or I’m going to throw up. There’s no in-between.
“What on earth is going on? I had to practically sneak out of the office to get here in time,” Charlie announces as he reaches the top of the steps.
Kalie shrieks, “Unca Charwee!”
