A Measure of Love (39 page)

Noah’s gaze moved from Lexie to Riley and back again; he was seemingly thinking hard about it. Riley stayed very still, his heart still bursting from Noah’s confession. “If you lives with us,” Noah whispered, cupping a hand to the side of his mouth as though telling Riley a secret, “cans you be my daddy?”

Riley’s breath left him in a huge whoosh as Lexie smiled through tears that gathered in her blue eyes. “Noah,” he uttered, “I
am
your daddy.”

Noah’s small mouth fell open into the shape of an
O.
“And you cans be my daddy forever?”

“Forever, buddy,” Riley uttered. “Forever and always.”

Noah squeezed Riley, who despite the soreness and aching limbs, laughed and hugged him back, blowing a raspberry onto Noah’s neck, making him squeal and giggle. As he did, he looked over at Lexie, knowing in every part of his body and soul that he would cherish every moment he had, knowing he’d never felt as much love for two people in his entire life.

They were everything to him, the two pieces of his heart, his whole world.

All the world.

EPILOGUE

Riley walked along Long Lake, feeling the sun beat down on his arms and face as the water splashed over his bare toes. The smell of the lake surrounded every breath he took and the heat wrapped around him like a comfortable jacket.

He paused for a moment, closing his eyes and allowing himself to take it all in, standing in the summer sun, listening to the lapping water and the birds overhead.

Then the familiar sound of laughter. He smiled.

The laughter was his favorite part. It might have been his favorite sound in the world. It floated on the warm breeze and greeted his ears like an old friend. Without sounding like a complete wuss, the sound of it made Riley feel all the butterfly-type things in his stomach. It always had. And he liked it. It reassured him that the people closest to him were happy. And there was nothing more important.

He opened his eyes, looking down the lake’s edge, and his heart clenched when he saw Noah, running—well, stumbling—through the water, giggling as it enveloped his small feet. Riley watched, enraptured.
My God.
He was just about the most perfect thing he’d ever seen.

Noah splashed and laughed, and the sound traveled across the water beautifully. As he always did, Riley caught the sound of his son in his ears and stored it in a place he would visit a long time from now, when Noah was too old to play games and ride on Riley’s shoulders. He laughed as Noah stumbled again. He was so inelegant.
His hair caught the sun as he twirled and kicked up the water, flashing white and gold.

Riley’s laughter brought Noah’s head up, and the smile that appeared on the little boy’s face damn near floored him. With a wink, Riley held out his arms and Noah took off, running at him as fast as his six-year-old legs could carry him. He stumbled a couple more times before he reached him, and, when he did, Riley lifted him into the air, throwing him to the sky and catching him as he squealed with delight.

Noah placed his small hands on Riley’s cheeks and squeezed them. “Daddy.” He smiled, all gaps and gums.

Riley placed his lips on Noah’s cheek, blowing on it to make a loud farting noise that made him laugh and squirm in his arms. Riley held him tightly to his chest, not wanting him to fall. He held Noah tightly because he loved feeling him so warm and perfect in his arms. Because he always wanted Noah to know that he was safe with Riley; that he loved him more than he ever thought possible. Riley made sure that he told Noah that every day and that his love for him would never change.

All the world.

Like any father worth his salt, Riley knew he’d lay his life down for his son in a heartbeat, loving him with every inch of his soul. That part of becoming “Daddy” was easy. He’d slipped into the role so easily.

Keeping Noah in his arms, Riley continued down to the water. Every Sunday it was the same, and Riley loved it. Spending time with his family, being silly and making memories, was all he’d ever wanted and, since he’d moved back to Traverse City over two years ago, each day seemed to get better and better. Sometimes the three of them would head back to New York to see all of Riley’s friends and, yes, he missed them, but Riley’s heart belonged to Michigan, where his family lived.

“Is Grandpa coming now?” Noah asked, playing with Riley’s beard.

“Later,” Riley answered, placing a gentle hand to the back of Noah’s head. “He and Nana are coming for dinner.”

Being able to say that his mother and father were joining them for dinner was something that Riley had thought would never happen again. It had been a tricky road on occasion, but Riley had worked his nuts off making sure that Moore’s Motors ran like a well-oiled machine. He’d officially been the owner for eighteen months and he loved every second, and, with each sale, each moment that Riley proved his capabilities, the more Park opened up. Riley could say with confidence that he and his dad were solid, and the last of the wounds between them were finally healed. Celebrating birthdays and Christmases together again was amazing, especially now that Riley realized how much fun Christmas was with a kid around. He tended to go a little nuts with decorations and shit, but Lexie, God bless her, tolerated the little boy in Riley that got excited about pinning stockings and tinsel to the fireplace.

Riley kissed Noah’s hair and chuckled to himself.

It was more than a little crazy. If he’d been told three years ago that his life would be this way, he’d have laughed in someone’s face. He sighed as Noah’s finger traced the lines of ink on his shoulder. It was a habit he’d developed when he was most tired. Most nights Noah would fall asleep on Riley, one finger in Riley’s beard and one finger circling the tattoo patterns on his skin. Those were the best times.

Riley’s most precious times.

Noah lifted his head and looked toward the bench they were approaching. “Can I have some more ice cream?”

Riley paused. “Wait. You had ice cream? Without me?”

He shook his head. “Mommy had it. She shared it with me.” He lifted his chocolate-stained hands as evidence.

“Mommy did?” he laughed. “I bet. She likes ice cream a lot now, huh?”

“Who likes ice cream?”

Riley looked from his son to Lexie, who was seated on their favorite bench, bowl of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other. Dressed in a floor-length, strapless white dress that was almost transparent, she’d never looked so fucking good. It had been a hot summer in Traverse City.

“You do,” Riley said with a smile as he placed Noah next to her.

“Have you been telling on me?” Lexie scowled lovingly at their son, who shrugged and laughed. Lexie tickled him, making him giggle more, and Riley’s lungs gave a familiar squeeze as he looked between the two of them.

Christ, it still hurt to think he so nearly lost all of this.

He tried not to think about the past too much, but the memories would come back every so often, and Riley would swear to every deity he could think of that he would spend every day being thankful and deserving of what he had.

After stealing two large spoonfuls of ice cream, Noah took off back down to the water. Riley dropped down next to Lexie and wrapped his arm around her, placing his other hand on her beautifully rounded stomach. It was an amazing feeling, knowing there was a new life growing inside of her. A new life that Riley would be there for every step of the way. Finding out about Noah was an amazing yet terrifying experience, but this time Riley felt calmer. He’d played Daddy pretty fucking well. And, truthfully, he’d loved every minute.

Obviously, it helped that Lexie was the most incredible partner, friend, and mother. He rubbed his palm lovingly across her bump and she hummed into his neck. He smiled down at his hand, reading the word “Noah” that was tattooed around his wrist. “Are you okay?” Riley asked as she rubbed her belly and winced.

“I’m great,” Lexie replied, kissing his jaw. “Baby just keeps pressing on my bladder.”

“She does?”

Lexie nodded, and Riley took the opportunity to kiss her soundly.

And it was just like the first time—all fireworks, heat, and fucking golden.

He pulled back to look at her. “You’re beautiful.”

“You too.” She smiled, holding out a spoon filled with ice cream, which Riley took into his mouth.

“Could you get any more flavors in there?”

Lexie elbowed him in the ribs. “Shush! I like it. And so does your daughter.”

Riley laughed and kissed her hair. He pulled her to his side and sat back, looking out to the water to where their son leaped and jumped, sang, and laughed in the hot sun.

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