Page 80 of Eight Years Gone

Tonight was another reminder that she could and would pick up her life without him. He needed Grace so much more than she needed him. “If you want a baby, I’ll give you a baby. I’ll make a baby with you.”

She blinked her surprise as she took a step back. “We’re still figuring things out.”

“Okay, fine, so we’re still figuring things out. But don’t go make a kid with a stranger. Not when I’m standing right here. If you want to ditch your pills tomorrow, just say the word. We’ll get you some vitamins and start trying.”

She huffed out a laugh. “That’s a big ask when we’re not sure what the future holds.”

“I know what the future holds. Things between us are going to work out fine. We’re going to have all of the things we’ve always talked about.”

She sighed as she shook her head. “Jagger—”

He took a step toward her, capturing her hands in his. “Promise you’ll talk to me before you make any plans.”

“I’m not making any decisions in the immediate future. I mean it when I say I’m only exploring my options. Christy’s so good with Brennan. And watching all of Gabby’s fertility struggles… She and Jerrod are so happy with the baby nearly due. It got me thinking. That’s all.”

He closed the remaining distance between them, wrapping his arms around her as he settled his forehead against hers. “Promise me anyway.”

She nodded. “I promise.”

“We’re supposed to make babies together. You’re the only woman I want to be the mother of my kids.”

Sighing, she slid her hands up his arms to lock her fingers against the back of his neck. “When I talked to my doctor a few months ago, I had no idea you were coming home.”

“Here I am,” he reminded her yet again, needing her to truly believe him. “I know this isn’t fair—to come back after all this time and ask so much of you. But here I am, Grace.”

“I see you, Jagger.”

“But do you believe me? It only matters if you believe me.”

She nodded again. “I do.”

He exhaled a slow breath. “This is what I want for us—cozy nights when it’s cold outside. Dinner together after a busy day.”

She smiled. “Me too.”

“I love you, Gracie.”

“I love you, too.” She kissed him as her fingers wandered into his hair. “What if we make Saturday night cozy too? We can make dinner together—macaroni and cheese—and watch movies.”

He groaned as he started swaying, moving with her in a slow dance. “That sounds awesome.”

“Maybe you can bring a change of clothes, just in case you want to wake up with me on Sunday morning.”

He smiled. “I hear that cozy can be sexy.”

She smiled back. “I certainly hope so.”

He kissed her. “Do you want to eat?”

She nodded. “The crab Rangoon is calling my name.”

He kept her hand in his as they turned toward the counter. “Let’s grab the goods and take a seat.”

Eighteen

Top 40 music played through the speakers while Jagger stood next to Grace in the kitchen, going to town with a grater and his second big block of cheese.

Feeling the burn in his forearm, he stopped to flex his hand, more than a little relieved that he’d nearly finished his task. “This is no joke.”

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