Chapter 12
Lake
I hadn’t intended on such a short trip to Indiana, but the truth is, I miss home.
It’s been a long time since being away from my family, and when I woke up this morning, I was homesick.
Saint didn’t even hesitate to help clean up the cabin, book our flights, and arrange for someone to return my car to the rental place so I could drive to the airport with him.
The flight home was easier, too, having him with me. My nerves weren’t frazzled, and I was able to fall asleep on his shoulder as if we did it all the time.
Now, he’s behind me in his vehicle on the way to my parents’ house as I drive mine.
At first, he’d argued that he could call Nolan or Bishop to get my car, but I told him it was a waste of time because I was perfectly capable of driving myself.
He’d reluctantly relented, grumbling curses along the way.
Pulling into my parents’ driveway now, both sets wait at the front door like we’re returning from homecoming or something. Acting as if we’re not full-grown adults. In their defense, I did run away like an unruly teenager, so I can’t be too mad.
Blowing out a deep breath, I shut off the car, and before I can do anything, Saint’s there, opening my door, then offering me a hand. I notice Uncle Carver smirking at how protective his son is, and I wonder if he didn’t always know this was how things would go.
“Say the word, and we’re out of here,” Saint growls behind me as he follows me to our family. It’s his steady strength that gives me the courage to walk up those steps. To ignore the stern look on my dad’s face and simply give him a hug.
“I’m fine, Dad. I’m sorry I worried you.” A beat passes before his arms reciprocate the hug.
“You can’t just run, Lake,” he growls, but it’s softer, in a way he only reserves for Mom or me. “Something could have happened to you.”
“But it didn’t.” My counterargument is the first time I’ve disagreed with him in years. “It was…healing. I needed to breathe.”
“Let’s not badger her. Nolan and Bea are on the way with Ariella, who has been asking after her favorite auntie.
” Mom’s teary words are met with agreement as Dad releases me from his arms, and I’m swiftly pulled into the side of the man who stole something indescribable from me last night, but I happily gave to him.
“Scotty, Jax, and the kids will be here tomorrow,” Aunt Meadow beams. She’s the most amazing Nana to those kids.
“Too many kids,” Saint groans into my ear as he kisses the side of my neck. “None of them are carbon copies of you.” I suck in a sharp breath. How do I unwrap that confession? “You heard me right.”
The rough tone sends shivers down my spine, and anticipation boils my blood as old wounds rise to bleed me dry.
My body is at war with itself, and hiding from it won’t do me any good.
“I don’t know if I can do that,” I whisper as we pause in the foyer of my parents’ house. Everyone else has gone to the den.
Saint grips my shoulders and slowly turns me to face him.
He cups my cheek in one calloused palm, the rough skin scratching at me.
“I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want.
However, we are heading towards a moment that could change everything, and if you don’t want pregnancy to be the result, then we need to figure out how to prevent it. Together.”
I’m always amazed when Saint speaks more than a few words. I’ve also noticed he does it mostly with me. Normally, he’s all grunts and growls for everyone else.
“I’m on the pill already.” He raises a brow in question.
“It helps regulate my period,” I reply matter-of-factly.
Although some things are made worse, like the cramping and heavy flow.
I’ve often thought of stopping it, but with my emotions always so intense and all over the place, my period doesn’t cycle regularly without it.
“Do you want me to wear condoms?” That word sounds vile coming from his mouth, like he’s sucked on a sour candy.
“I don’t know.” Honesty is the only way we’re going to work.
Drawing me into his chest, he kisses the top of my head and says, “We’ll figure it out later.” His clear reads on me are more than I ever anticipated needing.
“We’re here!” Nolan’s voice bounces off the walls as he enters the house. The sounds of my niece babbling pull me from Saint’s embrace.
“Ari,” I gasp as I drop to my knees, and she torpedoes herself into my arms, knocking us both over while she laughs and plants kisses all over my face.
“Missed you.” She giggles, grabbing my cheeks in her hands and staring into my face like she’s studying for an exam. “Happy.” She sighs and gives me the sweetest smile before strangling me with a hug around my neck.
Jumping from my lap, she toddles over to Saint and reaches up for him without a word. There’s a silent argument between the two before he rolls his eyes and picks her up. They walk away with Ariella laying her head on his shoulder. The trust she has in him is adorable.
“Never would have thought he’d be such a hit with all the kids.” Nolan laughs, helping me to my feet, then following them.
Bea stays with me. She obviously has something on her mind, so I wait her out. “You’ll give me the details, right?” Her brows wiggle up and down.
“Uhm.” My face heats, and she laughs while shaking her head and leaving me alone in the foyer.
I shut my eyes, inhale deeply, and my body reminds me of the things Saint and I did this weekend.
Never did I think I’d be at a point in my life where being intimate with a man would be possible.
But he’s not just any man; he’s Saint Rivers.
My Saint. The one person I trust more than anyone else in the world.
Opening my eyes, I’m immediately captured by his intensely penetrating stare. Saint sees me in a way nobody ever has, and right now, from the smirk on his lips, he can tell what was running through my mind.
Taking a steadying breath, I walk into the den where everyone gushes over Ariella, and I recognize the longing on Carver’s and Meadow’s faces to have their own grandchildren closer.
Knowing that Saint and I could be the ones to give them that places some pressure on me, but I find I don’t mind all that much because they would surround any children we have with so much love.
I glide into Saint’s arms, and the room seems to come to a stop. Everyone stares at us, and Nolan shares a look with Bea like he knew more than she did. I’m not good with words, never have been, but our silence seems to confirm what everyone else was hoping for.
Saint and I are finally together.
It’s Uncle Carver’s terrifying expression that makes me squirm. The shift in our relationship was one I always worried about, if my dreams were ever to come true, but I wasn’t prepared to be studied like a bug under a microscope when it happened.
“When’s the wedding?” he asks like it’s a done deal.
Glancing up at Saint, I notice him watching me, and the softness in his eyes steals my breath.
This is so much different than any other way he’s looked at me.
The love and devotion are there; they always have been, but this time they hold more.
Possessive love and a steadfast loyalty that’s indescribable.
“As soon as she agrees.” Saint’s gravelly timber vibrates through his chest and into me.
“You never asked,” I whisper, shocked he’s even thinking about marriage.
“Has any man in this family asked?” Luther chuckles, and Mom sighs.
“Nothing has to be decided today; there’s no rush.” Meadow’s calm words bring a smile to my face that I bury in Saint’s chest. “Besides, Scotty and Jax would want to be here.”
Scotlyn is the big sister to all the girls in this family. She’s older than me by a couple of years and so damn brave. I can’t wait to see her and the kids when they arrive.
“Scotty’s going to be my sister.” My hushed tone is only loud enough for Saint. His eyes crinkle in the corners, pleased that I’m happy about it. If there’s another woman in this world that he loves anywhere near as much as his mom and me, it’s Scotty and her daughters.
As everyone goes back to cooing over Ari and making plans for Scotty and Jax’s arrival, Saint draws a finger down my face and around the curve of my jaw. “You didn’t answer.” He pinches the tip of my jaw between his forefinger and thumb and tilts my face to him.
“Answer what?” I’m lost in his eyes’ swirling emotions. He’s never been so open in this way before. It’s intense and overwhelming.
“If you’ll marry me.”
“I didn’t think you needed one.” Brushing my hands up his chest, I push up on my toes, and he meets me for a heart-melting kiss that leaves me breathless and my brother catcalling us until we break apart.
Life is changing… Something I’ve been afraid of for years, and yet, I anticipate all the things coming our way now. Even the nightmares, because I know Saint will be there to protect me, to soothe me, to love me in the way I’ve always needed.