Elle purposefully loosened her fists, trying to rid her body of the tension that had only been mounting on the ride over. She wasn’t sure what to say, but she knew this time, she had to tell him everything. Once he knew why she’d been holding back, Emmett could make his own decision.

And if he chose to walk away…well, she’d have to find a way to heal from that, too.

As the thought cut through her, she tried to tell herself she’d survived worse, fought pain and sickness, and recovered, but she knew it wasn’t true. If she lost Emmett for good after letting herself love him so completely, she didn’t think she could survive.

Footsteps on the stairs had her turning, bracing for his anger, his wrath. She mentally prepared for the possibility that he might not be able to give her another chance.

She wouldn’t blame him. She’d hardly given him a reason to trust her again.

She glanced up, unprepared for the sight before her.

Emmett’s face was flushed, his eyes wide.

“Elle.” He breathed the word more than said it and didn’t wait for her to step to him. Before she could breath, his big hands cradled her face, his mouth on hers. She didn’t need to taste the tears to know they’d come.

“Shhh, no, no tears.” He pulled back and brushed her cheeks with his thumbs, peering down at her eyes. “I was so wrong, Elle. So damned wrong to leave you.”

She shook her head, trying to get the words out before they went any further. “I was wrong. I should have told you…” Her voice shook.

He tugged her to the couch and pulled her into his arms, holding her. “Tell me. Tell me what extra tests they scheduled. Whatever it is they think they’ve found, we’ll get through it together. From now on, no matter how much you try to push me away, I’m not leaving. You’re good and stuck now, Elle. You took my heart and made it yours and I’m afraid you just can’t give it back.”

“The extra tests aren’t for the cancer, Em.”

He stiffened. “Something else? Whatever it is, I’ll be with you through it all. I love you, Elle. Always have and I always will. From now on, you won’t be facing anything alone. Whatever the diagnosis, we’ll face it together. Just, trust me. Tell me.”

Elle’s heart kicked over and filled with hope. This time, she let the feeling fill her, determined not to give in to fear again. She’d only thought she was facing things so bravely ever since her diagnosis. But the truth was, Elle had been letting fear grip her hard and squeeze the life out of her, one small piece at a time.

She tried to keep her voice level when she spoke. “The extra testing is something I asked them to add on. I want to have them run some fertility tests, to see if I can still have children.”

Elle watched Emmett as her words sank in.

“The treatment?” he asked, clearing his throat when his voice cracked. “The treatment might have…”

She nodded, staring at a spot on the wall behind him, unable to meet his eyes as she forced the words from her mouth. “It’s very possible I can’t have children, Emmett.” Her chest heaved for breath, her heat hammering against her ribs. “My cancer wasn’t an estrogen receptor positive cancer, so that’s good. If it was, they would have recommended I never carry a child, but it’s possible the treatment damaged me.”

The final words came out on a choked sob as she realized that’s how she’d been thinking of herself. Damaged.

And Emmett might not want her if she was. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to think of his rejection.

Emmett cupped her cheek and tilted her face. “Elle, open your eyes, look at me, sweetheart.”

Slowly Elle opened her eyes, not surprised at the emotion she saw reflected back at her in his beautiful hazel eyes.

Love.

There was nothing but love in his gaze. “I love you, Elle. If we can’t have children, that’s all right. If we can, that would be wonderful, too. Either way, what I want…” He stopped, seeming to search himself for the words. “No, what I need, is a life with you, a future with you. Without you, I’m nothing.”

Elle blinked as tears threatened again. She’d never cried so much in her life, and right now she wished she could stop, but her emotions were raging out of control. “You want a family, Emmett. I know you do. I may not be able to give you that.”

Emmett’s lips curled into that special lopsided grin that always seemed reserved just for her. “I’ll have a family, Elle,” he whispered. “I’ll have you. That’s what I need. And if we want to, we’ll adopt children. A whole big old mess of them.”

“Or two,” Elle said. “Two children might be nice.”

Emmett tipped his head back and laughed, then hugged her closer. “Four.”

“Four!” she shrieked, trying to wiggle from his hold.

He squeezed her tight and pressed a kiss on her head. “However, many we’re blessed with Elle, I’ll be happy, as long as I have you.”