Jeremy bounced into my chest with so much force, it knocked the wind out of me. I felt him tense. “Sorry,” he breathed into my ear.
“You never have to be sorry with me, grown-up. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” I felt my walls breaking and the tears threatened to pool in my eyes. “I missed you so much.”
Jeremy broke free with a smile and started playing with the thick gold chain around my neck. “Mommy said you had to come to England to get better.”
My head snapped up to find Tyler smiling at me wickedly. I didn’t know whether to thank her for saving me from my son’s wrath, or spank her for making me believe he knew I had run away. Hmm…maybe both is in order later.
I winked at her and looked down at Jeremy in my arms. “I’m better now, Jeremy. I came back and the doctors here fixed me.”
Jeremy smiled. “Does that mean you can come home now?”
I looked up at Tyler and saw her glaring at me. I suddenly felt like saying I think I’d better because I have a feeling your mother’s going to shoot me in the balls if I don’t, but I held back. Instead, I nodded. “Yes, I can come home now.” His smile was wide and I felt my damaged heart begin to heal itself. “How do you like England so far?” No doubt this was his first time coming to his parents’ place of birth.
His eyes suddenly grew wide, as if he remembered something. Suddenly, he placed his hands in his pockets and pulled out a half-eaten bag of cheese and onion Hula Hoops crisps. “Mommy bought me these when we got off the big plane. I like the big plane, but I also really, really like these.”
I laughed, but looked up at Tyler with a knowing glance. Hula Hoops always did hold a special place in my heart.
“So, grown-up… How have things been at home?” If he told me Evan had been sniffing around, I’d personally go to his house and shoot his kneecaps off. My thoughts on Evan were so conflicted. He saved my life, which I was thankful for, but I wanted to hate him. I wanted to punch his fucking lights out, but what kind of monster would that make me?
“Mommy sits at home looking sad, and Jimmy and Tara just keep sucking face.”
My laughter rolled out naturally when I heard about Jimmy and Tara, but I didn’t like hearing about Tyler being sad. I looked up at her with a smile, then back to Jeremy. I placed my finger under his chin and looked into his eyes. The same eyes as mine.
“Well, I can’t do anything about Jimmy and Tara, but I hope I can maybe do something about your mum being sad. Would you like that?” I had a plan and the more I thought about it, the more my heart raced. It was like a beacon calling to me and I couldn’t ignore it. You couldn’t cheat fate, and nestling in Jeremy’s hands was my fate. My sign that I had to act now.
Jeremy nodded. “I want mommy to be happy again.”
I looked up at Tyler and saw she had tears in her eyes. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew I could make her that way. I knew I was it for her, so what was the point in hanging on any longer?
Deciding it was now or never, I leaned in to whisper in Jeremy’s ear. I didn’t want Tyler to hear this part of our conversation. This was between us. Father and son. “Jeremy, I would like to ask you a question.” I felt his head nod. “Remember when you told me I had to ask you permission to marry your mother?” He nodded again, and my nerves kicked up a notch. I couldn’t handle it if he said no. “Well, I really want to marry your mum. I have always wanted to marry her. Can you grant me the permission to ask her the question?”
I pulled my face away from his ear so I could gage his reaction. He was frowning a little, like he was deep in thought. He had a little crinkle at the top of his nose that was so cute, I wanted to kiss it. But not right now. Now, I was more frightened by his silence. Was he really going to say no?
Suddenly, his frown turned into a smile as he giggled and nodded. “Yes,” he whispered and I felt my heart explode with love for this boy. With a huge smile, I looked up at Tyler and saw her frowning. She was oblivious to our little conversation, but that was okay. I wanted the element of surprise.
Turning my attention back to Jeremy, I pointed to his crisps. “Do you mind if I borrow one of your crisps, Jeremy?”
Jeremy shook his head and opened the bag. With his little hand, he reached inside the bag and pulled out one of the round Hula Hoops. He handed it to me with a smile and, at that moment, I had never been more sure of anything in my life. I didn’t know if Tyler would have me, but I had to do this. I had to see if she would make that journey with me. I had to make her believe I was never leaving her side again. Dean and Tyler together…always.