Chapter 52
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Gage
Katie has been fast asleep since I tucked her into her bed.
Seven or eight hours have passed since I brought her home from the boutique after telling Natalie that she needed to cover for Katie today.
I’ve been next to the woman I love, watching her sleep while I think about the hell she went through.
I can’t be angry that she didn’t tell me she was pregnant with my child. All I feel is compassion.
I left her. I didn’t tell her why so when she found out she was expecting a baby, her emotions must have been twisted into such a tangled knot that she couldn’t unwind them.
She was expecting my child.
I shake the thought away with a heavy exhale.
“Gage,” she whispers, her eyes still closed. “Are you here?”
I lean forward on my forearm so I can press a kiss to her mouth. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her hand snakes behind my head to twist in my hair. She kisses me. This time it’s soft with parted lips. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”
“Open your eyes,” I whisper against her mouth.
“I’m scared to.”
I manage a small laugh. “Tell me every secret that’s inside of you. I want to know them all.”
“I only have one more,” she says, her eyes still shut tight.
“Open your eyes and tell me.”
Her eyelids flutter, revealing those two beautiful hazel eyes.
“The secret, Katie. I want to know.”
I pray to God it’s not as earth shattering as the one she told me this morning. I’m still processing that. It’s going to take days, if not weeks, for me to wrap my mind around the fact that she was pregnant.
Her hand slides to my cheek. “I love you.”
I’ve waited five years for that priceless gift. “I love you too.”
“You’ll tell me about Kristin.” Her eyes search mine. “Tell me everything.”
“You need to sleep more.” I run my hand over her forehead. “Sleep. I’ll make us dinner and then we’ll talk.”
“Just another five minutes,” she says, snuggling into my neck.
I’ll take it.
I’m due back in California the day after tomorrow to sign the new custody agreement. I won’t leave Katie, but I can’t miss my chance to have unrestricted access to my daughter.
In a perfect world, I’d see my daughter every day while I built a future with the woman I love.
I don’t live in a perfect world.
I live in a complicated world full of challenges. I’ll make it all work. I have to.
“I haven’t slept this much in years.” Katie looks up at me.
I’m back in bed.
I spent most of my afternoon on the phone talking to my daughter, her mother and my attorney.
Kristin wanted to know when she’d be able to visit me in New York.
Madison shut that down quickly, saying that she needed to find a job before they could plan another trip.
They’re still living under my parents’ roof.
I suspect that will stay the same until Madison can set herself up in a small place.
“How long have you been awake?”
I planned on being here when she opened her eyes, but I was in the kitchen prepping a salad while I semi-argued with Madison about the future.
I kept the tone of my voice down not just so I wouldn’t wake Katie, but I didn’t want to get Madison fueled up.
Kristin’s been through enough. She doesn’t need the added stress of listening to us debate what’s best for her future.
“Not long,” she answers with a smile.
“You’ve been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders for years.” I brush my lips over her forehead. “I wish I had known what you went through.”
Her hand leaps to my face to cradle my cheek.
“I’ll do everything in my power to take care of you now,” I go on. “I love you, Katie.”
“I love you,” she whispers back. “I’m so happy that you’re here.”
I move so I’m closer to her. I know she can feel the brush of my hard cock against her hip.
“You’re happy that you’re here too,” she sighs. “I’ve missed you.”
I’m about to show her just how badly I’ve missed her.