Page 101 of Peer & Coco

Chapter 42

Peer's question vibratedthrough Coco. She soaked him up, knowing their relationship wouldn't survive if she was out of the country or remained in Portland. The life they both wanted wasn't meant for them.

"Why?" he repeated. "Why did you leave me?"

She closed her eyes, catching the tears threatening to flow. When she opened them, she stared out the front windshield, unable to face him.

He deserved the truth. One of them had to be honest and bring reality to their relationship. It wouldn't help either of them if they kept pretending that things would work out for them.

"Coco?" He hooked her neck. "Talk to me."

"I left because I needed to get away." She inhaled deeply, pushing herself. "Before you left me."

"What the hell are you talking about." His gravelly voice came out tight. "I'd never leave you. I love you."

"I was going to use my ticket and go to Norway and let you live the life you deserve." She glanced at him. "You and Kelli are Tyr's parents. For how much my heart is breaking, it would be worse to pretend we're okay, and I have to hear the truth later when you realize you've already got your family. A family that happened when Kelli got pregnant with Tyr."

His hand tightened on the back of her neck, and he shook his head. The truth hurt. She'd had weeks to come to accept that Kelli was going to be a part of his life. He needed to realize he deserved happiness, too.

She understood how important it was for him to give Tyr everything he needed to grow up with a stable home life, support, and love.

What better way than to have Tyr's real mom in his life?

"That's the stupidest excuse I've ever heard." He brought her head forward and pressed his forehead against hers. "Kelli is part of Tyr's family, not mine. You...you're my family."

"But what about—?"

"Nei. Never." He kissed her softly. "I want you to listen. Can you do that?"

She nodded sniffing.

He pulled back, removed his phone from his pocket. "I recorded this yesterday and was going to have you listen to it."

Silence played over the phone, and then Tyr's voice came on. "Mam ma ma. Mam ma ma"

She folded in on herself, thinking she knew what real pain was leaving Peer, but hearing Tyr say mamma was like a stake in the heart.

Peer cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him. "He babbled mamma when you left the house, pointing at the door."

"Me?" she mouthed, elation flowing through her heartbreak.

"Ja. You are the only mother he's known. You're the one who puts him to sleep, feeds him, cares for him." His eyes softened. "Tyr needs you. I need you, Collette Lewis. Come home."

He put his phone on the floor of the car and brought her face closer, kissing her deeply. She sobbed, kissing him back.

Peer pulled back. "Please."

She covered her mouth, catching the sobs escaping her, and nodded. He remained beside her.

"Do you need us to go to Norway for you to understand that I love you?" he asked.

Maybe she was an idiot for doubting his love. Maybe Tyr could grow up with parents who lived apart as long as he was raised with love by each of them.

Her heart filled with hope. She believed Peer only wanted her, and that's the only guarantee she needed.

"I want to go home with you." She kissed him, letting her lips linger on his mouth. "I love you so much."

"Don't ever doubt us," he mumbled against her lips.