Page 35 of Nick

“Yes.”

“Can I talk to Axel before you leave?”

“I’ll let Axel know you want to talk to him. But it’s up to him if he wants to speak with you. I know you feel bad for how you acted, but you’ve had eighteen years to meet your son, and the only time you even admitted to having a son was when you needed him to save your daughter.”

Opal turned away but then turned back around and smiled at Wayne. “Axel is my child. I don’t particularly appreciate someone only using him for their own use. He is a kind and loving boy. He’ll let you know if he wants to speak to you.” Then she turned and walked away.

16

Nick

It had been two months since I was attacked with that damn knife. I had to go out of town and didn’t want to leave Julia or Opal. I read a story to the twins and Julia every day. Now I would have to do it over the phone.

“Opal, I want my babies to know who I am when they are born. I want them to smile when they hear my voice. When I return, you either come to my house or Julia and I will go to yours. You need to make up your mind what it’s going to be.”

She looked into my eyes, “Why do you think I’m going to do something because you say it?”

We were in the bread shop. I stepped closer, and my arms went around her. Before she could move away, I bent my head and kissed her. Opal’s arms went around my neck, and she kissed me back.

“Why do you kiss me every time you want to?”

“I don’t kiss you every time I want to. If I did that, you would always be in my arms and my bed.”

“Why do you tell me this when you are on your way to Tennessee? If you had told me this sooner, then we would be saying goodbye in my bed, not in my shop.”

All I could do was stare at her mouth.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue, son? Say something to her.”

Opal giggled.

“You didn’t tell me you weren’t alone. When I get back, we will be together. Damn, I didn’t want to do it like this. Opal Martin, will you marry me?”

“Did he just propose to her in a bakery?”

“Yes, I believe he did. Let’s listen to see what she says.”

I looked at Opal. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, and then she shrugged. “I don’t want to get married because I’m having your baby. I want to marry someone who loves me more than anything. I want to marry a man who wants me because he loves me. You never wanted this before you knew I was pregnant.”

“I’ve always wanted you. Every time I saw you, I wanted you.”

“Wanting and loving are two completely different things. Do you love me?”

“Yes, I love you.”

“You never told me you loved me. Would you have asked me to marry you if I wasn’t pregnant?”

“I wanted to tell you I loved you, but I was too afraid to say anything. I would have, though. I don’t know when it would have been. I love you deeply, Opal—more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I’m so happy we are having our babies. Does it matter when I would have asked you to marry me? Do you love me?”

“I love you so much, I ache inside for you. Yes, I’ll marry you. After the babies are born.”

“Why not now?”

“Because we need to know each other better. I don’t know you good enough to marry you.”

“That’s bull shit, and you know it. You know everything there is to know about me.”

“Yes, but do you know everything there is to know about me?”

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