How Long Is Forever?
Page 16
“Forever,” she repeated, sighing. She closed her eyes, imagining the future. For the first time in years, she wasn’t worried. She wasn’t lonely.
Charlie put his hand on her abdomen. “I had no idea how much I needed you, Eva.” He leaned up and kissed her shoulder. “Thank you for propositioning me.” He grinned. “I’m glad you asked me to pop your cherry.”
Idiot, Eva thought, rolling her eyes. “If you hadn’t been so stubborn, I wouldn’t have had to resort to propositioning you.” Eva poked his shoulder. “I’ve had a crush on you since I was twelve, you know.”
“I know,” he said, and then he shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Men are stupid.”
True story. Eva laughed. “But useful.” She paused, pretending to think. “Occasionally.”
“Hey! I resemble that remark,” Charlie said, laughing.
Eva smiled, then giggled when he tickled her stomach with his stubble. “Stop that.” She pushed him away. She was really sweaty and gross now. “I need a bath.” She tilted her head and sniffed lightly. “So do you.”
“I do not.” Charlie made a great show of sniffing his armpit.
Eva made gagging sounds, and Charlie laughed again.
“You’re not smelly, Eva. You’re perfect.” Charlie kissed her hip, and then her stomach. “And so are you, little one,” he said, kissing her stomach.
Eva’s smile melted away as the look of utter tenderness and devotion on Charlie’s face struck her right in the heart. “Oh, Charlie,” she whispered, eyes blurry. “I love you.”
Charlie looked up. His light eyes pinned her to the bed, somehow hot and sweet and tender all at the same time. “And I love you, Evangelina Ruston Greenwood.” He lifted her hand and kissed her wedding band. “Now and forever, for however long that may be.”
“As long as forever.” Eva smiled at him, ignoring the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Charlie gathered her up into her arms, and she forgot about being sweaty and dirty and fat. She forgot about being alone. She forgot about being afraid. She didn’t need to think about any of that anymore, because she had a family to take care of. A family to love.
She had Charlie, and she knew he would walk through fire and back again for her and their baby.
She had forever, and that was a hell of a long time.
The End
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Other Books by Erin M. Leaf:
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