“I think you should know everything.”
His hand drops, and I look back at the house. So much has changed in a matter of a few minutes. I sit here, wishing I could go back in time. I would’ve made different decisions. Maybe I’d have seen the writing on the wall with Aaron and left him. I don’t know that I’d be with Liam if that were the case, but I could’ve started over.
“I missed you so much, Aaron. So much that it broke me, and now . . .”
He takes my face in his hands. “I’m here now, and I’ll fix the broken, baby.”
My heart shatters because in this moment, I don’t think he can. I’m destroyed by what we’ve both endured. I’m wrecked for what Liam is feeling. I’m devastated for what’s about to come down the road for both of these men—and me. We will all have blood drawn and be left to try to heal after this.
Aaron and I stare at each other as so many emotions flow through me. I’m so happy he’s alive, but with that comes sadness. The flame that was once so strong I could feel him in my soul is barely a flicker.
His thumb brushes my cheek, and I try to catch my breath. “I’m so sorry, Lee.”
Another tear falls as I start to shut myself off. I have to hold my child right now. I have to have her in my arms because she’s real and what I need to focus on. “I need to go get Aarabelle.”
“Aarabelle? Is that what you named her?” Aaron’s demeanor shifts, and he smiles for the first time. Oh, how I missed his smile. “I thought we decided on Chloe?”
“I wanted her to bare your name always.” The pain shoots through me. “I wanted her to know you in some way. I needed her to know how special she is because her father was a hero.”
Aaron’s body leans closer. “She has you. She was always going to be special. I want to see her.”
My throat goes dry as I fight the tears threatening to fall. “I don’t want to confuse her. I know she’s your daughter, but I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m your husband too,” he reminds me.
“You and I may be married right now, but there’s so much we have to talk about, Aaron. This isn’t an easy place for either of us. You haven’t been a husband for a long time.” I give Aaron my own reminder. We’re both victims here. “I’m going to pick her up from the sitter. I need time. There are a lot of things we need to decide on to press forward.”
“Where does your boyfriend fit into all of this?” he sneers. He’s lucky I don’t punch him.
I stand, giving myself the height advantage. He doesn’t get to degrade me for something he did. I won’t let him taint the love I share with Liam. If he wants to be an asshole, I’ll show him how much I’ve grown.
“I’ll let you slide on this. I didn’t date Liam behind your back. I didn’t betray you. I thought you were dead.” Aaron looks at me, and I know this is killing him. I didn’t fall in love with someone random. I fell in love with his best friend. The immense pain he must feel is something I can’t understand. Brittany was bad, but I didn’t have to lose two people I care about.
I know this isn’t easy for him. I hate that now I’m the one holding the knife to his chest.
“But I’m not gone.”
“No, you’re not, and I’m so happy you’re alive. I’m glad Aarabelle will have her father. But Liam is the reason I smiled again and found a way to muddle through the days. Liam is the reason when I found out about your affair I didn’t go off the deep end. So that was the one dig you get. I’m not the liar or the cheater—” I let that hang in the air between us.
Aaron stands then grips my shoulders. “I came back to you. I lived to see your face again. Not hers—yours. Every moment, I thought of you, dreamt of you, needed to touch you again.” His hands graze my arms as he speaks. “I need you, Natalie. I need you, and I’m not letting you go without a fight. I lived for you and our daughter. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let anyone take that from me again.”
I stare into his amber eyes and choke back the sob that threatens to escape. “It’s not your choice anymore.”
“No one is going to take my family from me. I’m going to win you back. And I’ll be sure to let Liam know that as well.” Aaron’s hands fall, and he heads toward the water.
I stand in shock at the promise he made. My heart races while the nausea bubbles up. I don’t have any idea how I’m going to handle this. All I know is right now I want to be wrapped in Liam’s arms in Corolla, away from all of this.
“Thanks, Paige,” I say as I lift Aarabelle into my arms.
“No problem. I hope you have fun in Corolla,” she smiles and I nod. I can’t say the words because they will break the carefully constructed front I’ve managed to build.
I buckle Aarabelle in her seat while she smiles at me. “Dadadada,” she babbles and then I fall apart.