Page 71 of When it Comes to You

“Are you kidding me?” He pulls back, looking down at me. “I love you, Scarlett. I don't want anything else anymore. Any of it. I just want you. And our baby,” he says, making my heart flutter in my chest.

I can't deny how amazing it feels to be in his arms again. To have his smell engulf me and to feel the hardness of his body against mine. But having a baby doesn't change the past.

“Westin.” I push out of his embrace and take a couple steps back. “This doesn't magically fix things.”

“I know.” He reaches for my hand, seeming surprised when I allow him to take it. “I quit, Scarlett.”

“You what?” I ask, completely unprepared for this revelation.

“I left it all. Everything. I quit the firm. I broke the lease to my apartment. I packed everything I could fit in my car, the rest I sold or donated. I didn't wait around hoping you would decide to believe how genuine my feelings are for you. I knew I was going to have to prove it.” He reaches out and cups my cheek.

It's impossible for me not to turn into his touch. Like my body is programmed to recognize who it belongs to.

“The day after you left I started making the arrangements. I didn't tell Jonathan anything until I had everything packed and was ready to leave. After I gave my resignation, I jumped in my car and that's where I have been the last three days.” He steps closer. “I want this, Scarlett. All of it. You. Our baby. It's all I have ever wanted.”

“What about your career? You've worked so hard. Sacrificed so much.” Suddenly guilt runs through me that I'm not prepared to feel. Isn't this what I wanted? For him to give it all up for me? And if that's the case, why do I feel so awful about it now?

“I can practice law anywhere. When I first started law school, my intention was to start my own small practice. I never intended on working for Jonathan forever. But I got caught up in that life. The rush, the power, the money, the promise that one day it would all be mine. But I realized something over these last few months,” he says, pausing so long that I have to interject.

“What's that?”

“None of it means anything without you. You’re all that matters to me, Scarlett. You are everything.” He dips his head and hesitantly brushes a light kiss across my lips. “I love you,” he whispers against my mouth.

Pulling back, his eyes immediately gloss over as he drops to his knees in front of me. Resting his face against my stomach, he whispers something I can't hear and then kisses the small bump in front of him.

Reaching up, he takes my wrists and slowly lowers me down until I’m kneeling. Leaning in, he places the lightest kiss across my mouth.

“I love you, Scarlett. And I know you won’t forgive me overnight but I promise you, I’m going to earn your forgiveness and your trust because I love you. I’m going to spend every day of the rest of my life proving to you how much. You will never want for anything. Our baby,” he says, stretching his hand across my stomach. “Will never want for anything. I’m going to be the best father. I promise.” He takes my face in both of his hands and pulls me back to him.

And just like that, I’m overcome by all that is Westin Carver. Lost in his kiss, in his touch. In his promises for the future. In everything that he makes me feel. I know that we have a long road ahead of us. I know that things will not always be perfect. And I know we have a lot of trust issues to work through. But I can't help but believe that in the end it will all work out.

I may not understand why Westin chose the path he did. I may not agree with it. But what really matters to me is the path he takes going forward. Sometimes we are blinded by the promises of life, only to realize later that what we gave up to seek out that promise is what truly made us happy to begin with.

And as Westin holds me, I know that no matter what happens, no matter where we end up, no matter where life takes us, our journey together is only just beginning.

I have always belonged to Westin. Even in our time apart and through all the hurt and pain we have caused each other, I have always been his. From the first moment our eyes met all those years ago, I knew that this man would change my life. And change my life is exactly what he did.

You never understand a love like this until you have experienced it firsthand. A love that changes you, consumes you, and ultimately, claims you for its own.

---