This Is Forever (This Is, #4)

by Natasha Madison

“Well, I’m happy I’m your first.” I try to make a joke but see that her eyes are filling with tears, and it kills me to see her cry. “Don’t,” I say softly, and my hand flies out to touch her face and catch the tear that falls out of her eye. “Don’t cry.” Her skin is soft like silk, and I want nothing more than to pull her to me.

This woman is going to push me to be like Matthew, I think. Suddenly, everything that he’s ever done makes so much sense.

“I want to kiss you,” I say, waiting to see if she says or does anything, and when her eyes only widen, I continue. “I want to take you into my arms, put my hands on your face, and kiss the ever-loving shit out of you.”

I get up now and walk to her and take her beautiful face in my hands. “He won’t ever need them because he has you. He has all the love in the world he’ll ever need,” I say softly and then put my forehead to hers. “I really want to kiss you right now,” I say, almost as if I’m asking her for permission. “In my whole life, I’ve never wanted anything so badly.”

“I mean, all of us.” She laughs. “Stone family vacation is coming straight to you, Justin.” Her laughing never stops. “Hope she’s ready for us.”

“You’re a great mom,” I say. “The best mom.” I walk to her. “But you’re also my woman, and I’m going to take care of you.”

“Is it okay if I love him?” he asks in a soft, scared voice. “Just because I love him doesn’t mean I love my dad less.”

“Oh my God,” Matthew says. “If she proposes to you, I’m going to die, and you’ll never live it down.”

“There was only one place I would accept,” I tell them. “Home.” “What?” Caroline says, sitting up. “Next stop,” I tell them. “New York.”