Chapter 22
1076 Words
The second he said wait, it was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown at me. I was so confused. Did he not want me? I tried to get off his lap but he was not letting go of my hips.
“You’re not running from me. I want you, but first I need to tell you something. Because once we start, I won’t stop unless you tell me too.”
“Fine.” My feelings were hurt. I felt rejected but I was going to hear him out.
“I’m in love with you Everly, and I want nothing more than to make you mine.”
“I love you too.” I felt even more like a fool. If he loved me, why didn't he want to be with me?
“I want to be with you forever.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you are my soulmate.” He was being so serious.
“I feel like you are mine too.”
“No, I don’t just feel it, I know it. I know you are the other person made just for me.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to his confession. My backdoor slamming shut saved me from having to find a response. I slipped off Dustin’s lap and he quickly adjusted himself.
“Hey Mom.” Brayden said, looking pale. Kora and Kennedy were right behind him.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“He threw up and is burning up.” Kora explained.
I quickly felt his head and sure enough he felt like he was on fire. I mouthed sorry to Dustin as I rushed Brayden to his room to take care of him.
**Dustin**
I almost got it out. I needed to tell her before I claimed her. But Brayden getting sick is not his fault and I know what it’s like to have to take care of your kid. Kennedy headed to bed and after a bit Eve came back to the living room.
“I am so sorry.” She mumbled.
“You have nothing to be sorry about.”
“Tonight is not going as planned.”
Cupping her face with my hands, I gave her a gentle kiss.
“We will get there. We have our entire lives left together,” I told her.
“Do you maybe want to stay the night? I know the moment is ruined but.”
“I would love to stay with you.”
We headed to her bedroom and she excused herself to use the bathroom. I decided I was going all in and stripped down to my boxer briefs and laid down on the bed. I knew we weren’t having s*x tonight, but I couldn’t wait to hold her body against mine.
She came back into the room and I could tell that she had removed her bra. The thin white shirt did not hide her from me. I didn’t even try to hide how excited she was making me. I knew from the way she was blushing that she noticed.
“Come here.” I told her, opening my arms. I loved that she didn’t hesitate and rushed right into them.
“This was not how I planned our night to go.” She whispered.
“Us half naked in bed?”
She giggled and placed a quick kiss on my lips.
“ OK, maybe I did plan on this.”
“Good.” I planted my lips on her again and my hands started to roam her body. Hearing she wanted to be with me as much as I wanted her, it put me at ease.
She pulled away and smiled at me, reaching for the bottom of her shirt, when we heard Brayden getting sick again. Killing the mood.
“We still need to finish the talk we started earlier.” I told her.
“There was more?”
“I have something to tell you about myself. I pray it doesn’t make you run away.”
“I promised I would never run away again.” She said, letting out a yawn.
“We will talk about this tomorrow. You get some sleep.”
I pulled her into me and held her. Praying when I told her I was Kappi that she would accept me.
The next morning, we crawled out of bed together and made breakfast. Shortly after we finished eating, Brayden came walking into the kitchen.
“Hey honey. How are you feeling?”
“Better. I’m so hungry.” He sat down next to Eve, putting his head on her shoulder.
“I can make you some toast.” She gave him a quick kiss on his forehead.
Watching her love for her son made me want her even more.
“Just toast? I only got sick twice. I think I swallowed some pool water when I was trying to make Adalyn laugh.” He whined.
“Yes, just toast and you had a fever.”
“It’s gone.”
“We will start with toast.”
It didn’t take long for her to put some toast in front of Brayden and for him to eat it.
“OK, can I have something else now?”
“Stop giving Mom a hard time.” Kennedy told him as she poured herself some cereal.
“I would rather you wait and make sure you don’t get sick again.”
He grumbled but didn’t push for more food at the moment.
“Maybe you can stay home from school tomorrow?” Kennedy said, sitting down next to him.
“I can’t miss school. We pick our history day assignments tomorrow.”
“What is that?” I asked.
“It’s an assignment where we write a paper or documentary on something in history. They change it every year.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“ It's a huge part of our grade.” He said, sounding disappointed.
“You will be fine.” Eve comforted him.
“I know I just need to figure out a new topic. I had wanted to do our family history with Grandpa’s family, but after yesterday I don’t know if it's a good idea.
“Oh honey. Even if Grandpa isn’t the person I hoped he would be, that doesn’t change our history. I think that is a great idea.”
“Why his family?” I was curious.
- Writer
