as if she’d surprised him with that idea. Then he shook his head. “He’d have given me a hint if it were a child. I’m certain she’ll be an adult.”
“I hope we like her.” Gemma also hoped adding people into their lives wouldn’t strain her new relationship with Big. He had become her entire world.
He must have seen something on her face or in her eyes. He reached up and cupped her cheek. “I love you. This is going to be a good thing. I promise. You’ll like Blade, and he’s going to be so happy for us.”
“Did you tell him about me?”
“No. He seemed rushed and as I said, our conversation wasn’t long.”
A dreaded thought struck her suddenly. “What if he’s bringing this girl to you? Like for you?”
“She’ll be out of luck. I found the woman of my dreams.” He winked at her.
“Funny. Is that a pun about me thinking you were a dream?”
“Maybe. But now you know I’m the real thing, and thankfully, so are you. I don’t care if Blade or the other men bring back dozens of women. You’re the only one for me, and you own my heart. All of it.”
“Same.”
“Good.”
Magna placed their food and drinks on the counter. Big didn’t release her, though…and his expression grew somber.
“What?”
“There’s something else.”
“Okay. Hit me with it.”
He hesitated.
“Do you love me, Big?”
“More than life.”
“We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, for however long that may be, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then hit me with it. I can take it.”
He swallowed hard. “Fig had sent me a data burst.”
“You mentioned that.”
“Gemma…I asked him to see what he could find out about your sons.”
The air froze in her lungs, but she forced herself to keep breathing. It was tough to talk over the emotions suddenly surging through her. “Did he find anything?”
“Yes. And I don’t know how you’re going to take it. You’ve seemed so happy these past few days. I don’t want to hurt you in any way.”
“Oh shit.” Worst case scenarios filled her mind. Had her sons died horrible deaths? Died young?
“I’m just going to tell you. Ready?”
She fought tears and nodded, trying to brace for the anything.
Big moved closer, turned her more toward him, and nudged his knees between her thighs. He got very close, his gaze locking with hers.
“Your son Brent was an attorney. He married a woman named Nancy at the age of twenty-nine. They had three children. A boy first, who they named Jason. The second child was another boy named Randal. The third was a girl they named Gemma.”
Tears streamed down her face and her heart stuttered in her chest. Brent had named his daughter after her. It was so sweet, yet it broke her heart at the same time. She’d had three grandkids she’d never gotten to meet.
Big cleared his throat. “Brent and Nancy were married for forty-six years until his death. He went first, and she followed him two years later. There was no record of her ever remarrying.”
She nodded, unable to speak. Brent had led a good life, from the sounds of it. As heartbreaking as it was to know what became of him…it was also a blessing. He’d gotten married, raised three kids, and had a full life.
“Thomas married a woman named Megan when he was thirty. The records must not have listed his job. I’m sorry. They had two sons, Thomas the Second and Riley. Fig did find out that Megan was a well-known screenwriter. I’m not sure what that is, but she must have been good at it. Fig said they were wealthy. They were married for fifty-two years. She died first, and he followed her seven months later. It’s not a lot of information, but…I hope it’s enough to put you at ease with your past.”
She nodded, then buried her face in his chest, sobbing.
Big rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry this has upset you.”
“I wanted to know,” she got out. “I had five grandkids…”
“Yes.”
“My boys found people to love and their marriages lasted. That’s also great news. They were loved in return.”
“I love you, Gemma. Please tell me you’re going to be okay.”
She eventually pulled herself together. Big tore off his shirt and had her blow her nose with it. That made her laugh. No man had ever done that for her. Heck, no woman had either, even her best friends.
“Thank you. For sacrificing your shirt and telling me all that.”
He kept her close. “I can’t live without you, Gemma.”
She peered into his eyes. He