Page 137 of Truck Up
“I’m so sorry,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I should have been there sooner.”
I reach out and take his hand, my fingers intertwining with his. “It wasn’t your fault,” I whisper. “There’s nothing you could have done.”
He squeezes my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “I won’t let him get away with this,” he says, his voice hardening. “I’ll make sure he pays for what he did.”
I know he’s serious. He’ll kill Badger if he ever lays a hand on me again. I can see the fire in his eyes, the simmering rage that still burns beneath the surface. But it’s masked behind the love he feels for me.
I lift my hand and cup his cheek. “I love you.”
His shoulders relax, and he lets out a low breath. “Fuck, Lia. I needed to hear that.” He presses a gentle kiss to my lips and whispers, “I love you.”
He sits by my side, refusing to leave despite hospital policies, his presence more comforting than the security of these walls or the knowledge that Badger is behind bars tonight.
I have no idea how much time passes before my eyes feel heavy with sleep. Christian’s gentle hand brushes against my hair. I open my eyes to see Christian’s gaze fixed on my face.
He smiles, a soft, almost hesitant smile. The kind of smile I so rarely see on his face. “Get some rest, angel,” he whispers. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
I squeeze his hand and close my eyes. As I drift off to sleep, his words, his touch, the look in his eyes is all the comfort I need.
This terrifying ordeal has changed everything. It brought me face-to-face with my own mortality, and it has brought me closer to Christian than I ever thought possible. He loves me, and that’s enough.
As I finally succumb to sleep, I know this is just the beginning of something new, something beautiful, something that will heal the wounds of the past and pave the way for a future filled with love and happiness.
Chapter 30
The peace within.
Christian
The scent of freshly cut pine still lingers in the air, a faint echo of the weeks of relentless labor. But the cabin, once a rugged, isolated refuge, has been transformed.
Sunlight streams through the wide windows, illuminating the polished hardwood floors and highlighting the fact that we still don’t have furnishings. I put all my savings into the build and didn’t have much left to buy furniture to sit on. A problem we’ll remedy soon enough.
The walls, once bare, are now adorned with a collection of photographs Amelia took. She documented the cabin’s progress and framed selected photos. They bring a touch of life and color to the space.
I glance around, a wave of contentment washing over me. This isn’t just a cabin anymore. It’s our home. A place to build our own little family.
I look out the window at the clearing, where the remains of the overgrown brush and tree stumps have been cleared away. Soon, it’ll be spring, and the barren soil will be covered in grass. We’ll build a swing set there, and maybe even a sandbox, for our child.
The kitchen is my favorite addition. Food has always meant love in my family. My Grams finds great joy in feeding those she cares deeply for. Hell, she’ll even feed her worst enemies if they’re in need of a good meal.
With this gourmet kitchen, we’ll be able to host dinner for both mine and Amelia’s family. It’s an enormous space with a large center island. The island has a double sink, an endless amount of storage, and a row of seven stools. Enough to seat all my brothers.
Amelia picked out all the appliances, cabinets, and countertops. I didn’t really care what we had, as long as it made her happy. This kitchen lightens up my dark soul with its white and silvery granite countertops and white cabinets.
The space makes me chuckle. Even though she denies it, I think she designed this space to be bright to contrast my typically dark demeanor. She’s determined to bring nothing but joy into my life. I have to admit, it’s working.
Amelia is in the nursery, her voice a soft hum as she adds the finishing touches to the decor. I head upstairs to see if there’s anything I can do to help.
She’s standing next to the white crib, attempting to hang the mobile above it.
“Let me do that,” I say as I walk up behind her.
She looks over her shoulder and smiles. “I thought I could reach the hook, but my belly’s getting too big.”
I wrap my arms around her and rest my hands on her growing belly. It won’t be long before this little one joins us in our new home.
We painted the room a soft shade of pink and adorned the walls with whimsical fairy prints. A couple of weeks ago, we found out that we’re having a girl, and the news has filled my heart with an overwhelming joy I never thought I was capable of feeling.