Chapter Twenty
CHAPTER TWENTY
Annabelle
S unlight filters through the curtains, painting golden stripes across Nolan's sleeping form. I watch the rise and fall of his chest, the relaxed curve of his mouth, and wonder how I got so lucky. Last night still feels like a dream, but the pleasant ache in my body confirms it was gloriously real.
A soft noise from down the hall catches my attention,Ashlynn must be awake. I slip out of bed carefully, borrowing one of Nolan's t-shirts. It falls to mid-thigh, and I have a moment of self-consciousness before reminding myself that Ashlynn is only three. She won't think anything of it.
I pad quietly to her room, finding her sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Anna?" She looks confused, her stuffed unicorn clutched to her chest. "Why are you here so early?"
I smile, perching on the edge of her big girl bed. "Just wanted to check on you, sweet pea. How are you feeling?"
She considers this seriously, then nods. "My throat doesn't hurt as much."
"That's good news." I smooth back her tangled curls. "It's still very early, though. Do you think you can go back to sleep for a bit?"
She yawns widely. "Will you read me a story first?"
"Just a short one," I agree, reaching for her favorite book on the nightstand.
She snuggles against me as I read, her small body warm and trusting. By the time the princess in the story finds her way home, Ashlynn's eyes are drooping again.
"Love you, Belle," she murmurs as she drifts off.
"I love you too, sweet girl," I whisper, carefully extracting myself.
When I return to Nolan's bedroom, our bedroom now?,I find him awake, propped up against the headboard.
"Everything okay?" he asks, his voice rough with sleep.
"Perfect." I climb back into bed, curling against his side. "She woke up, but she's sleeping again."
His arm wraps around me, pulling me close. "And how are you this morning? Any regrets?"
I tilt my face up to his. "Not a single one. You?"
"Only that we didn't do this sooner." He kisses me softly, and I feel it all the way to my toes.
When we break apart, a thought occurs to me. "Nolan, what about... I mean, should we tell people? About us?"
He considers this. "You mean our friends? Ashlynn?"
I nod. "I'm not sure what the protocol is here. I don't want to confuse Ashlynn, but I also don't want to hide."
"No hiding," he agrees firmly. "I think we should tell Ashlynn once she's feeling better. She already loves you so much, Belle. This will only make her happy."
The thought warms me. "And the others? Daisy has teased me for months about having a crush on you."
He laughs. "Weston has been doing the same to me. Let's have everyone over, a cookout or something. We can tell them all at once."
"I'd like that." I trace patterns on his chest, marveling that I can touch him like this now. "It'll be our little secret until then."
His hand finds mine, intertwining our fingers. "I like having secrets with you."
"Just this one," I say, grinning up at him. "Because I have a feeling I'm going to want to shout about loving you from the rooftops."
His expression softens. "Say that again."
"I love you, Nolan King." The words feel natural, right.
"And I love you, Annabelle Sullivan." He pulls me closer. "You and Ashlynn, you're my whole world."
We lie there together as the sun climbs higher, planning our future.
"We should definitely tell our friends together. We'll sneak around until we do," I say as I draw patterns on his chest. "Daisy will be unbearable when she finds out."
"He laughs. Then we'll have a cookout next weekend."
We continue planning. A trip to the aquarium once Ashlynn is fully recovered. A lifetime of mornings just like this.
Later, we'll get up and face the day. We'll make breakfast for Ashlynn and watch cartoons together on the couch. We'll begin the delicate dance of becoming a family in a new way. There will be adjustments and conversations, logistics to figure out.
But for now, in the quiet morning light, with Nolan's heartbeat steady beneath my cheek and Ashlynn sleeping peacefully down the hall, everything is perfect. We have all the time in the world to work out the details.
I close my eyes, savoring this moment. The journey that brought us here wasn't always easy, but as Nolan's arms tighten around me, I know with absolute certainty, we're exactly where we're meant to be.