“Then we’ll co-parent. Just like you and Bryce. There’s no need for Jessa to be involved in my life.”
Amelia looks horrified. “You would really do that to your child? How could you want that for your baby? Haven’t you seen how hard it is on my girls?
“What are you talking about? Your girls are loved. They get more love from the woman at the fucking grocery store than their father. Coming from a broken family is better for them than having you two together and showing them that it’s okay to be in a miserable relationship.”
“It’s not the same, and you know it.”
“Why are you doing this, Angel? Fight for us. Why do this? You can see we both want each other. I know you feel it just like I do. No matter what the outcome of us, I would still never be with Jessa, and if this child ends up being mine, well, then we will deal with that when the time comes.”
“It’s not that simple anymore. As much as I’d love for that to happen, I couldn’t stand it if you ended up regretting that decision. That would kill me. It’s not just us we need to think about anymore. And if I’m being completely honest, I need to be selfish for once in my life. I don’t know if I have it in me to put up with Jessa for the rest of my life. She’s a horrible person.”
“I would never regret my decision to be with you. It’s the easiest decision I’ve ever made. You’re my future, Amelia, and I know that without a doubt. I can’t do this without you. My heart is aching for you,” I beg, getting out of my seat and dropping down to my knees before her. I grab both her hands in mine, bearing my fucking soul. “I need to know one thing, Angel. Do you still love me?”
A single tear breaks free and falls down her cheek. “Of course, I do. I love you so goddamn much that it hurts, but that isn’t the issue.”
Hearing those words coming from her lips is like a balm to my soul.
I drop my head onto our joined hands, take a deep breath, and kiss her hands. “That’s all I need to hear, Angel. Everything else we can deal with. Whatever is thrown our way, we’ll handle it, but please, don’t give up on me.”
Amelia looks down at me, watching me with her heart on her sleeve. “Okay,” she finally whispers with the emotions pouring out of her in waves. “I won’t give up. I don’t know how, but we’ll make this work. You, me, the girls, and this baby. We’ll make it work.”
Relief surges through me as I tug on her hand and pull her down off her chair. Amelia drops down into my lap, and I crush her body against mine as I bury my face into her neck, breathing her in. “I love you so fucking much,” I murmur into her neck. “I promise you, all I want in life is to make you happy. I’m sorry that I’m putting you through all of this.”
Amelia pulls back to look me in the eyes. “It’s okay,” she says. “Just promise me, the next time her place floods, she’ll be staying in a hotel.”
“Trust me, I’m way ahead of you on that one.”
And just like that, with my woman in my arms, I feel like I can handle whatever comes our way. As long as I have her, I know it’s all going to be alright.
With that, I pick us both up off the floor and lead her down to her bedroom to truly make it up to her for all the shit I’ve put her through this past week, and an hour later, I can confidently say that’s exactly what I did … twice.
CHAPTER 18
BULL
What a fucking shit day.
It’s Thursday night, and while the past five days since clearing the air with Amelia have been incredible, today has really sucked.
Amelia had come with me to the doctor’s appointment with Jessa as a way to send a message that no matter what, from now on, we’re solid. Jessa instantly hated it, and honestly, I couldn’t give a fuck. Amelia is my girl, and I have absolutely no intention of trying to cater to Jessa’s delusions just because she’s carrying my child. In fact, now’s the time to prove to Jessa that she doesn’t stand a chance and that