Damaged Hearts

Chapter 26

Zach

I shift slightly on the couch, trying to gather my thoughts. The weight of the conversation had been lingering on my mind for days now, and tonight felt like the right time to bring it up. I glanced over at Nicole, who was sitting next to me.

"Your lease is up soon, right?" I asked, keeping my voice casual.

"Yeah, at the end of the month."

I took a deep breath and turned to face her more directly, my heart racing a little as I prepared to say the words I'd been holding back for a while.

My voice steady but firm. "I want you guys to move in with me."

Her eyes widened slightly, and I could see the hesitation in her gaze, like she wasn't sure if I was serious or if I was just throwing out a suggestion. "Zach..."

I reached for her hand, my thumb brushing over her skin. "I'm serious. I know it's a big step. But, honestly, It just makes sense. You and the kids... you're already here so much of the time. It feels right. And I want to take that next step with you, I want to be able to help you."

I watched her face closely, waiting for her response, feeling vulnerable in a way I hadn't expected.

"You're sure?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," I said, leaning in a little closer, my voice quiet but sincere. "I want you guys here. All the time. I want to wake up with you and the kids. I want this... us."

Her eyes softened, and I could see a hint of emotion flicker across her face. I didn't want to pressure her, but I also needed her to know how much this meant to me.

"Say yes," I whispered, my thumb tracing small circles on the back of her hand. "Say you'll move in with me."

She stared at me for a long moment, and I held my breath, waiting for her to say something, anything.

"Okay," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I want that too."

A rush of relief and happiness flooded through me, and I pulled her into my arms without thinking, holding her tightly.

"Good," I whispered into her hair and kiss the top of her head.

She pulls away after a moment, her eyes meeting mine with that familiar softness. "We should talk about the future though."

"Alright," I say, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. "What about it?"

She shifts a little, pulling her legs up onto the couch. "Do you ever think about getting married again?"

I pause, considering. "I don't know. Do you?"

"I don't know," she echoes with a quiet laugh, and I can't help but join her.

Neither of us have the best track record when it comes to marriage. But with Nicole, it feels different. She's the kind of woman who fights for what she loves, for the people she loves. I know that. And I'd never walk out on her either. Cheating? Not in my blood. She knows that too.

"I was also trying to figure out how to bring this up but...this birth control, it's not doing me any good."

"What?"

"My hormones are so out of wack, Its making my cycle more irregular then it was before, I'm breaking out, I-"

"Then get off of it."

"And then what?"

"I'll wear a rubber," I shrug, "I don't mind."

"Wait really?"