Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
KENZIE
I can't believe I'm puking again. My God. When will it end?
I flush the toilet and wash my face. The last time this happened it was on the champagne I drank with Mikael—but this is different.
Sherlock bolts from my side and barks.
“Hold on, boy!” I ease myself out of the room when I hear the doorbell. we walk to the door and I peer out.
My heart lurches. It’s Mikael, and then I’m nauseous again.
Fuck.
I open the door.
“Kenzie, are you okay? I stopped by the shop, and you weren't there.”
“I don't feel so great, but I'll be fine.”
His eyes search mine. How can I be angry with him?
I've cried myself to sleep for weeks due to the worst pain imaginable. I knew I loved him and I’ve processed the fact that he’s not perfect, nor should he be perfect. We’re human, we make mistakes, we forgive, we get over it, and we love again. God knows I’m not perfect.
And it dawned on me that we are perfect together.
“Can we talk?” he asks.
I nod and open the door.
He walks by, and I breathe in his essence. I've missed smelling his cologne. I've missed his blue eyes. I've longed for him to hold me.
Sherlock is jumping with excitement.
“Hey there, Sherlock.” He pets him, and we make our way to the living room.
I sit, and he seats himself on the ottoman.
“I've missed you.”
“I miss you, too.”
“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for not sharing how I felt about you.” He takes my hands in his. “I'm in love with you. I was too stubborn to admit it. I compared every date I've had to you, and no one holds a candle to you. You're the one I want to spend my life with. You're the one I want to have a family with.”
I'm shocked.
“You ghosted me for weeks. How can I trust you won't flip out when we argue?”
“I can handle that. Being in love is new to me. I was overwhelmed. I'm here, aren't I?”
He's got a point. He did come to me.
But how can I trust him?
It's not just me; I have to think about the little nugget inside me.
“Why did you come?” I'm curious as to what motivated him.
“Finn said I have to fight for what I want. And I want you, Kenzie.”
I pull my hands free.
I stand and pace. I feel his eyes on me. Sherlock sits, then whines. I look at him, and his tail wags impatiently as if to say, “You know we're a family.”
“What do you want of me?”
“I want us to date if you'll have me. I'm crazy for you.”
“Are you prepared for a rollercoaster? I mean, I'm not easy.”
“If I wanted easy, I wouldn't be here,” he smirks.
“Point taken. How do you feel about kids?”
“I love them. Why?”
“Well, it turns out we're going to be parents.”
His face is indescribable. Shock, awe? I'm not sure.
“What do you mean?” his eyes search mine for details.
“You're going to be a dad. It will be sleepless nights, smelly diapers, the works!”
“I didn't think you could get pregnant,” he gushes. I decide he’s in shock. Well, welcome to my world; so was I.
“Me either. But it turns out we were both wrong!” I excitedly reply.
Mikael leans into me and pulls me into his lap. Our eyes meet, and then his lips are on mine. It's a long, passionate kiss that reaches my soul. I’ve longed for him to fight for me, to fight for us and he’s finally here.
“I can adjust to family life. What have I missed? When is your next appointment?” He breaks away and rakes his fingers through his hair.
I laugh. He's adorable. I watch him panic and know he’s going to be a great dad. I’m sure he’ll be a hands-on dad.
“We have time,” I reassure him as a wave of nausea hits.
I jump off his lap and race to the bathroom to hurl. I lurch over the toilet seat and that’s when I feel his hand on my forehead to support it against the violent heaving, I find it comforting. I’ve never had anyone to help me before. He helps me stand when the wave passes.
And he hasn’t left my side. I’m surprised when he offers me a damp washcloth for my face.
“Will this help?”
“Thank you,” I murmur as I run the cool cloth over my face.
He helps me onto the sofa, and Sherlock is at our feet, hovering like a mother hen. I owe him a shot at redemption since he’s not running away.