Page 41 of Lone Hearted Fire Captain
"You all packed?" he asks, sliding his fingers along the shoulder strap of my romper.
I grin. "Mostly. I've got a few more boxes to sort through, but I should be ready by Wednesday."
"Good. I cleared out half the closet. And two drawers in the bathroom vanity. And there's space in the garage if you need storage for?—"
"Ike." I laugh softly, tracing his jaw. "I'm not bringing that much stuff."
"I want you to have room. I want you to feel like it's your space, too." His expression goes soft and serious. "That place has never really felt like home, Sloane. Not until you. I'd knock out walls and build additions if that's what it took to make you comfortable there."
My heart clenches.
"I don't need additions," I murmur, running my fingers through his silver hair. "I just need you."
He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "You've got me, sweetheart. For as long as you want me."
"That's going to be a very long time."
He nuzzles into my hair, breathing deep. "That's exactly what I was hoping you'd say."
We stay like that, wrapped up in each other while the sunset fades and the sounds of laughter drift through the station doors. His arms around me feel like safety. Like certainty. Like everything I’ve ever wanted in a relationship.
"We should head back in," I say eventually. "Before Jasper eats all the ice cream."
"Probably wise." But he doesn't let go immediately. Instead, he tips my chin up with one finger, his gray eyes searching mine. "I love you, Sloane. You know that, right?"
"I know." I rise on my tiptoes to kiss him softly. "I love you too, Daddy."
I spent years searching for someone who could be my partner, my protector, my lover. And finding him was worth every risk, every bold move, every valentine I wrote to him with my heart in my throat.
I found my Daddy.
I found my love.
