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I think it’s because when I met her, I had nothing to offer but myself, and that had been all she wanted. Knowing that, it makes me want to give her the entire goddamn world and then some.
You’ve changed my life, Darby. I’ve never trusted someone with so much of myself, never taken a risk like this, but the reward of you has been worth every second of fear.
“Plus, I’m a fucking gentleman, and the fact that you think for one second I would ever expect you to buy your own birth control is insulting.”
“You’re not unemployed. You’re a teacher, and it’s summer break. You’re not homeless. I’m your home.” He leans into my ear. “And you’re not engaged to that man. The next time you want to refer to yourself as engaged, you let me know, because the only person you’re marrying in this life is me.”
“You’ve always been enough for me.” “You left. You left me.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere, Leo. I don’t want to leave you. I never wanted to leave you.
That man does not love her, not the way she deserves, and that should be your priority. The fact that it’s not is telling about who you are as a person.”
“The only thing I care about is your daughter. Ruin my name and my reputation, I don't give a shit. I'll retire tomorrow if it means protecting her from you.”
“So, know this: I am not afraid of you. Throw whatever you want at me—at us—but she’s not a piece of property, and she does not belong to you. She’s a human being, and she’s the love of my life. I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep her safe.”
“Now bend over the hood and lift that little dress up so I can fuck out my frustrations, will you?”
“Does it make you wet to know I’m about to fuck you out here in the open, where anyone could see us?”
“Fuck. Look at you, bent over the hood of my car and dripping for me. This looks like my teenage dream.”
“I’ve traveled all over the world, you know that, right? I’ve seen crystal clear beaches, roaring waterfalls, and sparkling cities.”
“But there is nothing on this planet more beautiful than the sight of my cock,” I lift her dress and slip my free hand between her legs, brushing my fingers across her swollen clit, “sliding inside your pretty little pussy.”
If someone isn’t loving you the way you deserve, if they’re not giving you the respect you deserve, if they’re not putting into the relationship what you are, then you owe them nothing. It doesn’t matter if you share blood.”
“Because losing you was my punishment, Leo.” “Punishment for what?”
I know that wasn’t home to you, Darby. This is your home. I am your home.
I don’t know what happened, but I need you to know that I’ll keep trying to reach you. I won’t give up. Not on you. Not on us. Not until you tell me to leave you alone. Maybe not even then.
All I know is that I love you so goddamn much, it hurts, and I feel empty without you here.
I’m not just haunted by ghosts anymore; I think I am one.
Being with him has become as normal to me as breathing, as simply waking up in the morning.
“Being with you again…it feels like my heart hasn’t been beating, not since the moment I walked away from you. And now, I feel like it’s bleeding out for you, flooding through me stronger and harder than I ever could’ve imagined at seventeen.”
Give me your bleeding heart, Darby. I’ve been waiting for it all this time.”
“You’re home now, baby. You’re here with me. You’re safe. Allow yourself to feel it.”
“What do you need? What can I do?” “Tell me it’s not my fault.”
“You’re my ‘it for me’ person. You were my first love. Then, the one who got away. Now, you’re my ‘it was always you.’ And it doesn’t matter what happened in between, because you’re gonna be my forever person too.” He cups my face, bringing his mouth to mine. “You’re my once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, Darby.”
“I’ll write you a love letter every day for the rest of my life if you just come home, honeysuckle. Stay with me.”
“I’m not spending another moment of my life away from you, Darby. We lost ten years, and I won’t question the universe for that. Not anymore.
“I bought a house for you to line with books and flowers and to fill with babies and laughter and happiness. To give you the home you’ve always deserved and never got to have.”
“First and foremost, I want that asshole to know that you belong to yourself. You’re done being controlled by others.” He flicks his tongue against me again, and I whimper. “But this pussy, honeysuckle, this pussy belongs to me.”
“You’re my once-in-a-lifetime love, Darby, and I don’t want to live another moment without the entire world, all the universe and the heavens above it, knowing that we’re meant to be.”
“I got the idea to add a diamond to this ring the night you gave it to me all those years ago. I’ve always known it was gonna be you, honeysuckle.”
While I’m faintly aware of the flash of cameras and the cheer of crowds, the only thing that exists in this moment is him, the two of us alone, floating through the stars. And when he kisses me in a way that feels like crashing waves and blooming flowers, I know I’m home.
“Wow, Dad,” she whispers. “You really manifested your whole life, huh?”
“Nah, sugar, I just always knew this was meant to be.”
With both my girls in my arms, I know I’m home.
