If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 32

Author's note:

Sorry this update has taken so long. But work and life have been keeping me extra busy. (life = the good kind of busy and work = the not so good kind of busy.)

I realized this chapter was going to be SUPER long (Even by my standards). So I've gone ahead and split it. I'm hoping to get the 'second half' up soon. So if you want to read it all in one go, like I originally intended, go for it. But I figure you all have waited long enough. Thanks for sticking with me. XOXO❤️🐞

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Previously:

She smiled at that, but there was still one question left. The one she was really dreading the answer to. She took a deep breath, "What about... the other part of the article... when you said you didn't want to be tied down by a wife and kids..?" She averted her gaze. Not able to look at his eyes. She braced for an answer that sounded something like that just wasn't for him. Or what was wrong with what they already had. Or why wasn't he enough.

But he didn't say any of that. His answer was simple. "I hadn't met you yet."

"But... you still said it."

"I said all that because I thought it was true. I saw settling down the same as being tied down. But I don't see it that way anymore."

"You don't?"

"When I met you, my entire world turned upside down and everything seemed to fall into place. I jumped into this relationship with both feet and I have no regrets about that. When I gave that interview I thought there could never be someone I would want all that with. I really didn't think you existed. But here you are."

Her fear was being replaced with hope. She finally felt brave enough to meet his eyes. He smiled and she smiled back, "So... someday, you might want that? With... me?"

"I only want it with you." And I want it now.

The tears that had been forming, slowly started to fall down her cheeks as her smile only grew, "Really?"

"Of course. I knew right away that you were it. The first night you came over and we had dinner with Emre and Leyla, I couldn't stop staring at you. This image popped in my mind of my future. I wanted something I had never wanted before. I wanted someone to share my problems with and for her to share her problems with me. Together we would solve them. We would laugh together, cry together, and love each other. I wanted a partner. Someone to set down roots with and raise a family. I looked at you all night and I could see all that with you. These past couple hours have been torture. The thought that we don't get to have the future I've imagined for us."

Sanem let loose the tears she was holding back and threw her arms around him. Can held her back while she cried. He knew they weren't sad tears now. He put his face into her neck, breathing her in, "I'm so happy you're home."

"Sorry I ran away. I should have just talked to you. But I was so scared that you didn't want I want. And that I would have to make a choice between you and the future I want with you."

"No choice necessary. You're stuck with me."

Samem smiled at him repeating her words from yesterday. "Good." They pulled back, Can keeping his hands on her waist. "Can, will you do something for me?"

"I think we have already covered that I will do anything for you."

Sanem laughed and Can took in another easy breath hearing that sound.

"Will you kiss me? Not a forehead or cheek kiss. A real kiss."

Can smiled at her request and leaned in gradually until their lips met.