Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
THEN
Everleigh slipped through the trees silently, her heart pounding against her ribs.
It had been almost three days since she had last seen Knox, and she couldn't wait another second.
The urgency to see him tugged at her, and she picked up her pace as she headed straight for their tree.
A peal of childish laughter rang out, and her heart twinged at the sound.
Knox and Vivi came into sight, and she slowed her pace, just watching them for a second.
He was so good with her. Ever since their parents had died several months ago, he had stepped up to take care of her.
Although truly, Knox had always been more of a parent to Vivi than the Castillos ever were. He would be an amazing father.
She settled her fingers over her stomach as she moved forward. Knox’s alert gaze immediately snapped to hers. A smile curved his mouth, sending her heart into rapid flutters. He was so gorgeous when he smiled.
More often than not, Knox was all too serious.
He had to grow up much too quickly, but the one time he could just relax and be himself was when he was with her.
Knox was an entirely different person around her than he was with anyone else, and the knowledge sent a little thrill through her.
She loved knowing that she got a part of him no one else did.
It also sent worry coursing through her, because she had no idea how he would react to her news.
Knox’s dark gaze slid toward Vivi, who was playing at the edge of the clearing.
Taking advantage of her distraction, he pulled Everleigh into his arms for a deep kiss.
He finally broke away, flicking another glance toward his sister before returning to her.
He brushed one hand over her hair. “I've missed you,” he said.
“I missed you too,” she replied.
She bit her lip, and Knox’s head tipped slightly to one side as he appraised her. “What's wrong?”
She threw a look over her shoulder, but Vivi was still entertaining herself by gathering flowers and leaves. “I need to talk to you.”
Knox grabbed her hand, then tugged her over to their tree, and they settled at the base of the wide trunk. His dark eyes bore into hers, and she felt the tears begin to burn across the bridge of her nose. “Oh, God. Knox… I didn't mean… I don't know—”
Knox squeezed her fingers. “Just talk to me. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together.”
She hoped he was right. “I think I'm… pregnant,” she whispered.
He was silent for several seconds, and the tears she had been holding back slipped free. “I’m—” Her breath hitched on a sob. “I’m sorry. I—”
Knox lifted one hand and brushed them away. “Shh, sweetheart. Everything is going to be fine. Just give me a second to think.”
He slipped an arm around her shoulders and rubbed her upper arm, holding her close as she cried out her worries. Knox grasped her chin and turned her to face him. “Hey, it's okay. As soon as I graduate, I can sign up for the Marines.”
The thought alone sent fear sparking through her. “But…”
He shook his head. “It's the best solution. I know other guys who have joined up. They'll pay for housing and stuff, so you and Vivi will always be taken care of. I need to talk to your father.”
She regarded him warily. “Why?”
Knox lifted an eyebrow. “I need to explain to him what happened. Plus, I have to ask his blessing for us to get married.”
Despite all of her worries, elation rushed through her. “Really?”
Though they occasionally talked about the future, it always seemed so far off. Knox nodded and dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Of course. You're my everything. It happened a little sooner than I thought it would, but I wouldn't change it for the world.”
Tears burned her eyes again, but this time they were tears of joy. “I love you.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I love you, too.”
She wasn't fooled into thinking this would be easy at all.
Breaking this to her parents was going to be the hardest thing she had ever done.
Her father was probably going to lose his mind.
On second thought, she knew he would. He wasn't a fan of Knox, simply for the fact that he was from the wrong side of the tracks. But he would have to respect Knox’s choice to step up and do the right thing in light of recent events.
Although Knox would graduate in just a couple of months, she had a whole year ahead of her.
“Maybe I could test out and graduate early,” she mused. “That way I could be out of school before anyone was aware I was pregnant.”
“Not a bad idea,” Knox stated. “Talk with Mr. McPhee and see what the requirements are. I'll check into the process for boot camp and housing for spouses and dependents.”
This was one of the reasons Everleigh loved Knox so much.
Even in the face of life-altering decisions, he was always cool and collected.
He never yelled, never even raised his voice when he was upset.
Knox truly loved her, and she knew they had the kind of love that lasted forever.
They were both young, and though they had a rough road ahead of them, there was no one she would rather travel it with than him.
Her heart warmed, and she felt better already. “Thank you.”
He pulled her close. “Why are you thanking me? It’s my responsibility to take care of you.”
She couldn’t hold back a smile at his words. It was a fairly antiquated point of view, but one she loved. He was willing to step up and do whatever it took to care for his loved ones, and she appreciated that more than she could say.
“What do you think I should do?”
“For what?” His brows drew together, and she tipped her head against his shoulder.
“For work. We’ll both need the income, so I’ll have to get a job after the baby’s born.”
She felt his head shake. “Just take it one step at a time. We’ll make it work. Things might be tight for a while, but I’ll figure it out.”
For a long moment, she stared out at the trees surrounding them. “You know what I want?”
It was a conversation they had had a couple of times already, talking about the future, all of their dreams and wishes.
His lips brushed her hair as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “What’s that?”
She stared off into the distance, imagining what their life together would look like. “I want a house with a big back porch so we can sit there, just like this, and watch the sun go down together every single night.”
“I think I can make that happen.”
She heard the smile in his voice, and she tipped her face up to his. “And a porch swing.”
He grinned. “A swing where we can watch the sunset. Anything else?”
“Just you.”
She cuddled close, wrapping her arms around him. In that moment, everything was perfect. She had no idea how quickly it was all about to change.