Can't Fight It - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,84
you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call us.”
I stand and see them to the door, making sure to lock it behind them. I have so many conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I’m relieved, so damn relieved that she’s safe. That we are all safe from this nightmare. On the other hand, the fear is still there; it’s just shifted. The very real possibility that she could leave me, leave us is damn near crippling.
On autopilot, my feet carry me back to the loveseat, back to Hollis and my son. “How are you?” I ask once I’m in my seat next to her.
“I’m glad it’s over. It all feels so surreal, the way it all happened.”
“Do you feel safe?”
She nods. “I do. I trust them. We talked for a while before I called you, and it all makes sense the way they described it.”
“It does. I just hate that he didn’t make more of an effort to tell you. You’ve been living in fear this entire time.”
“Yeah,” she agrees.
“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours? Talk to me.”
“It’s over now. Besides, if I hadn’t run, I never would have found you.” She smiles at me, then looks down at Milo. “Or this little man. I never could have imagined that not one, but two handsome men would steal my heart.”
“Stay.” The word is out before I can stop it. “This is your home, Hollis. We are your home. I know you have a life back in California, and your best friend, but we need you. I need you,” I tell her.
Tears well in her eyes. “I don’t want to go back.” Milo stirs in her arms, lifting his head. A grin lights up his face when he sees her. “Hello, baby boy.” She smiles at him.
“He loves you.”
“I love him too.”
“Stay.”
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. “I love you,” I whisper just as Milo’s tiny hands land on my cheek. “No, hitting,” I tell him firmly. His bottom lip juts out, and it breaks my heart, but he has to learn. I take him from Hollis. “Listen, little man, hitting is bad,” I tell him.
Big fat tears roll down his cheeks as he reaches for Hollis. “Mama,” he mumbles, and a sob breaks free from Hollis’s chest.
“Did he just…” Her voice trails off as she pulls Milo into her arms, giving him a hug. “I’m sorry, Colt. I swear I don’t tell him to call me that. I don’t know where he got it.”
“You’re the closest thing he has to a mother. Other than the time he spent with Gabby, it’s you, Hollis.”
“Oh, sweet boy, how you have stolen my heart,” she tells my son.
“How do you feel about that, Hollis?”
“How do I feel about what?” she asks, making silly faces at Milo. The tears once in their eyes are now masked by smiles.
“Being his momma?”
She freezes and turns to look at me. “What are you asking me, Colton?”
“Milo here, he told me that he chooses you. He knows that it’s special that he gets to choose you, and you’re his pick.”
“Colt.” The tears are back, and this time they slide over her cheeks.
“We both love you, Hollis. We want you in our lives, and I would be honored to have you be the mother of my son and any future children we might have.”
“More?” she asks, a beautiful smile pulling at her lips.
“Milo also told me he wants a brother and a sister.”
“Two more?”
“At least.” I wink.
“Colton, I don’t know what to say. I mean, this is huge.”
“What does your heart say?”
“Yes.” She nods. “My heart and my head say yes. I love you both so very much. I can’t… this is the best day of my life.”
“Did you hear that, Milo? Mommy said that this is the best day of her life. We’re going to have to see if we can top it,” I say, leaning in for a kiss where my son again pushes me away from her. “Listen, little man. She might be your mommy, but she’s going to be my wife.” Hollis gasps, but I keep my eyes on Milo. “So you’re going to have to learn to share her with me. Especially if you want those siblings you were telling me about.” I bop him on the nose with my index finger making him giggle.
“Wife?” Hollis asks.
“Wife. What do you think, baby? You ready to be a Callahan?”
“More than you ever know.” She