more than another day, another month, or even another year. She wanted forever. At a time when she’d thought to expand her horizons, he’d come along and shown her that she didn’t need that.
She needed him.
“Hey.” Stepping out of the house, Corbin closed the door quietly behind him. “They haven’t finished yet?”
“Maybe. But I was enjoying the night air.” And thinking deep thoughts about love and the future. “Is Justin down for the night?”
Nodding, Corbin sat on the step behind her, his runner’s thighs open around her. He kissed the top of her head. “He’s clingier than he was before, and I think he’s afraid to hope that things are settled, but he’s dealing with it all in that silent way of his.”
“You need to find Darcie so he can move beyond this.”
For an answer, Corbin pulled her back to rest against him. “I’m working on it. Without a number to reach her, it’s pretty damned impossible.”
Humid air blew against her face, and she knew it would storm again. “It’s so unfair of her to do this, to disrupt his life even more.”
“I agree. In the beginning, I was angry about it. But now? I realize how much help you and Lang are, how you both made the transition easier, and it makes me...not sympathetic, but maybe more understanding? Little by little, Justin talks about her. He never knew her parents, so it was always just the two of them. I’m not sure she had anyone as backup, and I’m afraid she might have a drug problem, based off what he’s said, what Geoff said and what I saw when she gave Justin to me. All combined, that’s a hard life.”
“I guess.” Loving Corbin and Justin as she did, Ivey really didn’t want to cut the other woman any slack. She had to admit, though, it sounded as if Darcie had some serious personal problems. And because of those difficulties, she’d made many horrid decisions and basically destroyed her own life. One mistake had led to another, until she probably couldn’t see a way out.
It made Ivey admire Hope even more, because her life, too, had been incredibly hard—obviously, in very different ways—and yet her friend had remained motivated, optimistic and caring.
One thought led to another, and Ivey asked, “Do you think you’ll ever want more children?”
His startled gaze shot to hers.
D’oh. She did seem to blurt out the most outrageous things. But she couldn’t help wondering. He was such a great dad.
Looking out at the darkened yard, watching the antics of the puppies, Corbin considered it. “Actually, I’ve wondered about that, too, about all the things I missed. Diapers and formula, first laugh and first steps... I wonder sometimes if Darcie has any photos, and if she’d let me make copies.”
“If you find her, you should ask. The worst that can happen is she might say no.”
“If she’s gone again, I’m not sure if I should contact her or not. Then again, for medical reasons, it’d be nice to have her family history.” A small smile curved his mouth before he slanted her another look. “If I do ever have another child, I can guarantee I’ll be with him or her from the start.”
“I already know that.” Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Corbin had proven that he took his responsibilities seriously.
She’d been thinking about kids recently. Her own.
That was a first. Before Corbin, the idea of kids hadn’t occurred to her. Even when she’d been with Geoff, she’d never pictured them together as parents.
Now, with Corbin? The image was all too clear.
Watching her, Corbin asked softly, “What about you?” As he so often did, he toyed with her hair, teasing it with his fingertips, tucking it back. “Can you see yourself as a mother?”
“Don’t let it freak you out, but I already do.” To keep it light, she tipped her head back to look at him upside down. “I know Justin isn’t mine, but I wish he was. I want to mother him. I want to show him how it should be when decisions are all guided by love, when he can feel that he’s cared for and safe.”
“He adores you,” Corbin said with significance. “It’s a big plus for me. At this point, I’m not sure I’d bring someone into his life who he didn’t like.”
“Then yay for me.” She smiled. “He’s pretty easy to adore right back.”
Behind them, the door opened, and Lang stepped out. He’d walked Hope home a little while ago, and it looked