I woke the next morning to the smells of toast and peanut butter wafting under my door. The previous night had been amazing, the four of us snuggled in the blankets on the couch watching Aladdin for the tenth time since I’d been here. I reached for my phone and placed a quick call to my dad to check in before getting out of bed and wandering down to the kitchen.

With every phone call, Dad was sounding stronger and stronger, and it made my heart soar. Not only did it mean he was healing, but it also meant I could spend more time with Evan and the kids without having to worry so much about him.

As I was about to open my door and head down the hall a text from Layla came through.

“Hey there, sex goddess. You spill the beans yet?”

Our conversation yesterday helped me feel closer to him. I still wasn’t ready to completely open up to him, but it had drawn parallels between the two of us. He knew what it was like for the world to betray him. For the foundations of your world to be rocked to the point of no return. I knew he would understand at least that part; I just needed to find the strength to tell him.

I just wasn’t sure how the hell to even begin a conversation like that, or when the proper time was to bring it up.

“Not yet.” I typed back. “But I will, soon.”

I ventured into the kitchen where the kids were happily eating and Evan was standing at the sink telling Liam a silly story about a dancing giant. The little boy was giggling so hard that tears were forming in his eyes and Hadley was looking at him and clapping wildly. My breath stuck in my chest for a moment and I felt warmth spread all the way through to my toes. No matter what he thought about himself, Evan was doing a wonderful job with those kids.

“Good morning Mew!” Liam called when he spotted me.

“Good morning Liam,” I answered with a grin.

I stepped into the kitchen and Evan surprised me by placing a kiss on my forehead before handing me a cup of steaming hot coffee. I looked over to see if Liam had noticed, but he was busy smearing peanut butter over half of his face. I giggled and went over to wipe him down with a wet washcloth.

“That’s supposed to go in your mouth, silly,” I said as he giggled.

Evan went and worked in his shed for a few hours while I cleaned up the house, did some laundry, and read to the kids. I was really starting to enjoy taking care of the house and the kids. It was something I never thought I’d have after my abduction. It had taken me almost a year of extensive therapy even to be able to go back to school, and almost another year to go out anywhere else besides classes.

Though I’d improved a lot over the last two years, I had still resigned myself to the fact that I might never be able to trust a man enough to have a relationship, get married, and have kids. Being able to care for Evan, Liam, and Hadley was refreshing and made me hope for the future. A future I hoped would include all three of them.

When Evan came back in the house in the early evening, dinner was ready and we all sat down to eat after he had a quick shower to warm up and wash the sawdust out of his hair. As we ate, I couldn’t help but steal glances at the man across from me. Though he had shared his secrets with me, he was still such a contradiction.

He was big and rough, but gentle and loving. He was rich beyond what most people would ever see in their lifetime, yet he spent his time making and selling furniture in town. He had said he’d never wanted kids, yet everything he did was for the two precious bundles that sat at the table with us.

I admired him. And I was falling for him. Hard. The realization brought a lump to my throat and I had to excuse myself from the table. I went into the bathroom, feeling Evan’s worried eyes on me, and shut the door. I turned on the cold water and splashed some on my face as the hot tears spilled from my eyes. Realizing that I was in love with Evan was the most freeing sensation I’d felt in a long time.

I regained my composure and turned off the water. I opened the door to find Evan standing on the other side, his brow furrowed in worry.

“Are you okay?” he asked, reaching out to run his fingertips down my arm.

I smiled up at him and nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Better than I’ve been in a while,” I assured him.

He looked only half convinced as we made our way back to the table to finish dinner. Once the food had been cleared, I took the kids to get them bathed and dressed for bed while Evan did the dishes.

After the goodnights had been said and the blankets had all been tucked under their chins, Evan and I retired to the living room to sit on the couch in front of the fire as we did most nights.

“I’m sorry I haven’t asked, but how is your dad doing?” Evan asked.

A new warmth spread through my chest. “He’s doing really well actually. Stronger by the day,” I told him.

Though the news was welcome to me, Evan looked troubled by it, though he tried to hide it.

“That’s great to hear,” he said softly.

We sat in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. “So, if he’s doing well, does that mean you’ll be looking for a teaching job somewhere soon? I mean, it seems wrong for you to waste your education.”

I turned and looked at him, taking in the hint of sadness in his eyes that he was trying so hard not to show and my heart nearly broke. “My education is in Early Childhood Development, Evan. Yes, my original goal was to be a preschool teacher, but things can change. I think you know that better than most people. I may not be in a classroom here, but what I’m doing with Liam and Hadley is no less important. I’m using my degree every day with them.”

“Was doing laundry and giving baths part of your degree?”

I laughed. “Not exactly, but I don’t mind doing it.”

“I just don’t want to hold you back,” Evan said.

Now I was starting to worry a bit. “You’re not holding me back Evan. But if you want me to go—”

“No!” he said quickly, assuaging my fear. “I just don’t want you to give up something you’ve wanted for us.”

But you’re what I’ve wanted, I almost said. Instead, I offered, “If I ever start to feel that way, I promise I’ll let you know.”

He nodded, seemingly relieved. “Good, because I called and fired the nanny this morning.”

“You did what?” I asked.

“Yeah. She was nice and good with the kids, but she didn’t have anywhere near the connection that you have with them. Plus, you’re easier on the eyes,” he said, grinning.

I giggled and playfully slapped at his arm. “Oh, so all I am is eye candy?” I teased.

Evan grew suddenly serious. “Not even close, Melanie. You are beautiful, yes, but you are so much more than that.”

And when I looked at him, I felt every bit as special as he thought I was.

I leaned in and pressed my mouth to his, groaning as his tongue licked over my bottom lip. His hands came up around me and pulled me into his lap. He tugged gently on my hair to expose my neck and sucked at the tender skin along my jaw, causing my nipples to harden and my breath to become ragged.

When I couldn’t take anymore, I brought my mouth back down to his, but before our lips could meet, he pulled back.

“So, you’ll stay?” he asked, a storm raging in his eyes.

“For as long as you want me.”