Chapter 26 #2
“I do. Even when it’s hard, I love having something that’s mine. Something I built.” She accepted the plate he handed her. “Thank you for understanding when I work late. For not making me feel guilty about it.”
“Why would I make you feel guilty? You’re building a business. That takes time and energy.”
“I know. But some partners would resent it. Would want all your attention all the time.”
“I’m not some partners. I’m me. And I understand about work demanding attention.
As long as we’re both present when we’re together, as long as we both make time for us, the rest is just life.
” He sat across from her. “Besides, watching you build your business? It’s inspiring.
Makes me want to be better at my own work. ”
“You’re amazing at your work.”
“I’m getting better at balancing it. That’s what matters.”
They ate dinner together, then did dishes, then settled on the couch for a movie neither of them really watched. Too busy touching, talking, just being together.
“I saw Dr. Carpenter yesterday,” Carson said at one point. “Individual session. We talked about Lily.”
“How did that go?”
“Good. Hard. But good. I’m starting to accept that what happened wasn’t my fault. That I was just a kid. That I can honor her memory without destroying myself in the process.”
“That’s beautiful.” Nora squeezed his hand. “I’m so proud of you for doing that work.”
“Couldn’t do it without you. You’re the reason I wanted to change. Wanted to be better.”
“You were always worth it, Carson. You just needed to believe it.”
They stayed up late talking about dreams and plans.
About the promotion Carson was considering—lead detective would mean more responsibility but also slightly better hours.
About Nora’s plans to hire an assistant.
About the house they wanted to buy eventually, something with a yard and space to grow.
About kids. Maybe. Someday. When they were ready.
“I never thought I’d want that,” Nora admitted. “A family. After growing up the way I did, I never thought I’d be a good parent.”
“You’d be an amazing parent,” he told her again. “Patient. Kind. Understanding in ways people who had perfect childhoods could never be.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” He pulled her closer. “But no rush. We have time. Years. We’ll figure it out.”
“I like taking things slow with you. Like we’re building something intentionally instead of rushing.”
“Me too. We’ve done enough rushing. Now we get to do it right.”
***
A week later, at The Brass Tap with their friends, Carson watched Nora laugh at something Jade said and felt overwhelming gratitude.
Six months ago, he’d been sitting in this same bar, alone, drowning in work and grief and loneliness. Now he had this—friends, love, a life that felt full and meaningful.
“You look happy,” Finn observed, sliding into the seat next to Carson.
“I am happy. Happier than I’ve been in years. Maybe ever.”
“It shows. You’re different. Lighter somehow.”
“Therapy. Boundaries. Nora.” Carson took a sip of his beer. “All of it. I’m finally figuring out how to be a person and not just a cop.”
“I’m glad, man. Really glad.” Finn clinked his beer against Carson’s. “You deserve this. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you. When are you going to find someone?”
“When I meet someone who can handle the job. Who gets it.” Finn shrugged. “Until then, I’m content being the fun uncle to all your future kids.”
“Future kids?” Carson laughed. “Getting ahead of yourself.”
“Please. You and Nora are endgame. Everyone knows it. Marriage. Kids. The whole thing. You’re that couple.”
Carson glanced at Nora again. At the woman who’d saved him by refusing to settle for less than he could be. Who’d loved him enough to walk away when he needed the push. Who’d given him a second chance when he’d done the work to deserve it.
Yeah. They were endgame.
He just had to make it official.
Soon. Not tonight. But soon.
Maybe on the anniversary of the day they’d met. Or the day she’d moved back in. Or some random Tuesday when the moment felt right.
He didn’t know when. But he knew it was coming. Knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Knew she was it for him.
The only question was when to ask. And how.
But that was a problem for another day. Tonight was for celebrating. For being present. For enjoying the life they’d built together.
For being happy. Really, truly happy.
After nineteen years of running from grief, Carson Black had finally stopped running. Had finally let himself feel joy. Had finally allowed himself to believe he deserved good things.
And Nora—brave, strong, patient Nora—had been there for all of it. Had made it possible.
He owed her everything. His happiness. His health. His life.
And he was going to spend the rest of his days showing her exactly how much she meant to him.
Starting tonight. Starting now. Starting with every choice to be present, to show up, to love her the way she deserved.
Not perfectly. He’d never be perfect. But honestly. Completely. With everything he had.
***
Late that night, after they’d said goodbye to their friends and driven home together, after they’d gotten ready for bed and slipped under the covers, Carson held Nora close and said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not giving up on me. For seeing who I could be even when I couldn’t see it myself. For loving me through the worst of it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “For being patient while I figured out how to be the man you deserved.”
“You were always that man, Carson. You just needed to believe it.” She tangled her fingers with his. “And thank you. For doing the work. For actually changing. For proving that people can grow if they’re willing to try.”
“We both grew.”
“We did. Together. The way it’s supposed to be.”
Carson was quiet for a moment, listening to her breathing begin to slow as sleep pulled at her. Six months ago, he would have been at the station right now, hunched over case files, alone. Now he was here, holding the woman he loved, living a life he’d never thought he could have.
“I’m going to marry you someday,” he whispered, thinking she was already asleep.
“I know,” she murmured back, surprising him. “I’m counting on it.”
He smiled in the darkness. No grand declarations. No promises about forever. Just quiet certainty. The kind that came from doing the hard work and coming out the other side.
Tomorrow he’d follow up on the Eugene evidence. Would build the case that would keep a dangerous man behind bars where he belonged. Would do his job well and thoroughly.
But tonight? Tonight was just for this. For holding Nora. For feeling grateful. For acknowledging how far they’d both come.
The case could wait until morning. Some things—some people—were more important than work.
And Carson Black finally understood the difference.