Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
“You’re a stubborn son of a bitch. Capitulation isn’t your style,” Beck pointed out. “Where did you go? What changed your mind?”
Jesus, he’d turned himself inside out in an hour and given in without stipulations or conditions. And Beck wanted to challenge him? “Does it matter? I figured you’d rather get Heavenly pregnant than play twenty questions. Did you change your mind?”
“Don’t fuck with me. You know the stakes. Once we go down this path, I don’t care if you get scared again. You can’t back out. You get that, right?”
“Of course I get it. I’ve been a father.”
Beck nodded slowly. “And if Heavenly wants marriage?”
“Absolutely. I’m not sure how that will work with my mother or the law, but committing isn’t my issue. I’ve wanted that since day one. It’s the fear of something happening to Heavenly or our kids that scares me.” He swallowed hard. “After Autumn and Tristan, I lived for revenge. Offing Silas gave me a hollow victory, not the closure I expected. After that, I plodded through one numb day after the next. When well-meaning people like my mother asked, I’d swear I was fine and reassure them with plastic smiles and counterfeit laughs. I didn’t think about the future because…what did I have left? I’d defined myself by my roles for so long. But I wasn’t a husband, a father, or a cop anymore. I lost most of my friends…and all of my self-respect. I was fucking alone—except the two tons of guilt on my chest, slowly suffocating me.
“Then…I saw you, Heavenly. At the hospital the terrible morning Raine killed Bill. One glance, and I not only fell, but I had purpose again.”
Beck snorted. “Yeah. Fighting with me for the right to touch her.”
“That kept me so blinded, I didn’t think about what the future looked like.” Seth cupped Heavenly’s cheek. “You asked me earlier if you’re worth it. Angel, you’re beyond worth it, and you should know that. I uprooted my existence and left my family to be with you. I’d lay down my life for you. I’m facing all my fears for you.”
“I know.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she nuzzled into his hand. “Thank you.”
She pulled away with a kiss to his palm before she sent Beck a beseeching glance. The surgeon sent a sharp nod back, and she flashed him a smile.
Thank god they’d accepted his explanation. Seth nearly sagged with relief.
Heavenly shouldered her way between them and laid a soft hand on his chest. His whole body tightened as he gave in to his urge to draw her closer. “Angel?”
“I know another tragic loss isn’t impossible, but your job, that case… That’s not your life anymore. You’re here now—different line of work, different coast, different people. This time, you have Beck and me, not to mention all our friends. Since they risked their lives to protect us when Beck’s family attacked, I know they’d do anything to keep our children safe.”
She was right. Whatever came next, whatever problems they had, his circumstances had changed. And he wasn’t alone. He had Beck and Heavenly, and they’d face everything together.
Seth looked at Heavenly—really looked—taking in the hope and love radiating from her, despite the tears she’d shed for him. “No more roadblocks. No more hesitating. I’m here—if you’re sure.” He paused, memories of Autumn’s collapse under the weight of motherhood flashing through his mind. “And you’re aware that a baby will change your life forever. School will be harder. Growing your career may take longer. That travel you wanted—”
“We’ll make it work.” Her soft voice carried conviction.
“A baby will change everything between us, too.”
“I know,” she assured him.
But did she? Did either of them? “I’ve been a parent. Autumn and I…” He hesitated, not wanting to seem as if he was grasping for more excuses. “She wasn’t ready for that responsibility. It strained everything between us.”
Heavenly’s eyes softened with understanding. “I’m not Autumn, Seth.”
“You’re right; you’re nothing like her,” he acknowledged. “You’re strong and incredibly independent. But I need to make sure you understand that a baby isn’t just a cute addition to our lives. It’s a lifetime commitment. It’s endless nights without sleep. It’s arguments about who’s more exhausted. It also means less time for us.” He glanced between them. “And right now, what we have is…pretty close to perfect.”
Beck stepped forward. “Perfect doesn’t mean complete, Cooper. Life moves forward or you’re not really living.”
Seth nodded. “I know. I’m not pushing back again. I wish Autumn and I had realized some of these things before Tristan was born. I’m making sure you both understand what we’re walking into.”
Heavenly placed her palm against his cheek, the gentle touch steadying him. “The difference is you won’t be trying to take care of both the baby and me. The three of us will face this together.”