13. Sean

13

Sean

Lying there in the dimly lit room, with Aubrey curled up beside me, everything feels unexpectedly perfect. It's like all the noise, all the chaos of our lives, just fades away, leaving nothing but the comfort of her presence. It's a feeling I didn't realize I'd been missing until now.

"So, Aubrey," I start, the words dancing on the edge of a whisper, "if I had known all it took to get you to agree to a second date was a chocolate lava cake, I would've baked one myself ages ago."

She chuckles, the sound as light and captivating as the rest of her. "Please. I’ve seen you cook in the morning—it’s not pretty. But," she continues, poking me lightly in the ribs, "this has been… more than I expected."

"Hey, I'll have you know, I'm a master with the microwave. Popcorn, frozen pizza, you name it," I retort, feigning indignation while tightening my hold on her, not ready to let go of this moment, of her.

I find myself caught in the gravity of her gaze, the intensity of the night pushing me towards a confession, a leap into the unknown.

"Aubrey," I say, my voice suddenly serious, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. "I want you to move in with me. Back in Chicago. And we’ll stay on the ranch together, too. As soon as possible."

The silence that follows is thick, charged with surprise, hesitation, and a hint of something I can't quite name. I watch as she processes my sudden proposition, her eyes wide, reflecting a storm of emotions.

"Sean," she starts, her voice a mixture of astonishment and caution, "that's...fast. We've had an amazing night, yes, but moving in together? That's a big step."

I nod, fully aware of the gravity of my request. "I know it sounds crazy, but when something feels this right, why wait? I'm not talking about a trial run or a temporary fix. I mean really move in, Aubrey. With Luke. I want us to be a family."

Her body tenses slightly at the mention of Luke, a mother's instinct to protect, to weigh every decision with the welfare of her child in mind. "Sean, it's not just about us. There's Luke to consider. He's my world, and any change this big... I need to think about what's best for him."

I understand her hesitation, the need to prioritize Luke's happiness and security above all else. "I get it, and I wouldn't ask if I wasn't serious about making this work. About being there for both of you, in every way that counts."

We lay there, the room enveloped in a thoughtful silence as Aubrey considers the implications of my proposal. It's a gamble, laying my cards out like this, but for the first time, the risk feels worth it.

Lying there in the afterglow, the world outside our little haven seems miles away. Yet, Aubrey's hesitation brings it crashing back. I understand her pause, her need to weigh every decision where Luke is involved. But as I look into her eyes, I feel a certainty I've never known—a conviction that being a dad, being her partner, is exactly what I need, what I want.

"Aubrey, listen to me," I press on, my voice laced with a determination that feels as natural as breathing. "I know I've got my issues. Hell, my personal life's been more like a cautionary tale than anything. But this—us, being a family—it's the game changer. It's what will set everything straight."

She shifts slightly, her gaze searching mine as if looking for the truth in my words. "I want to believe you. I do. But wanting to be a dad and actually being one are two different things. Your heart's in the right place, but it's not just about intentions. Your life, the parties, the... instability. Are you really ready to give all that up?"

Her words sting, not because they're cruel, but because they're true. Yet, within me, there's this unshakable belief that her and Luke's presence in my life will be the anchor I've sorely needed.

"I am," I say with all the fervor and honesty I can muster. "Aubrey, you and Luke have already changed me. And I'm ready for more. I'm ready for everything that comes with being a dad, being your partner. I need you to see that."

But as we talk, a little voice in my head warns me I'm pushing too fast, too soon. Still, I barrel past it, driven by a cocktail of love, desire, and a touch of desperation.

"And it's not just about living together. I want you to be my wife," I blurt out, the words tumbling out in a rush, fueled by emotion rather than thought.

The shock on her face is immediate and unmistakable. For a moment, there's just silence, a gaping void where my impulsive proposal hangs, suspended.

"Sean, no," she says finally, her voice steady, her decision clear. "We can't just jump from A to Z like that. Marriage? We're still figuring out what we are to each other. I... I can't accept that."

Her refusal hits me like a physical blow, a mix of embarrassment and disappointment washing over me. The little voice in my head scolds, "I told you so," but it's drowned out by the louder, more insistent ache of wanting to make this work, wanting to make her believe in us as much as I do.

"I'm sorry," I stammer, the weight of my misstep settling in. "I got carried away. I just... I feel so strongly about this, about us."

Aubrey softens slightly, reaching out to touch my face, her gesture a balm on the sting of rejection. "I care about you, more than I thought possible. But we need to take this one step at a time. For Luke, for us."

As Aubrey checks her phone, her expression a mix of surprise and resignation at the hour, I can't help but wish we could pause time, stretch this night into infinity. "Looks like we've let time slip by us," she observes, a hint of regret lacing her voice.

"Yeah, seems like the night's just flown by," I respond, masking my disappointment with a lopsided grin. "Guess we should head back, make sure Emma and Pokey haven't turned the ranch into a nightclub in our absence."

Gathering our things, we make our way to the car under a sky jeweled with stars, the night wrapping around us like a velvet cloak. The drive back is quieter than I'd like, a reflective silence settling between us as I navigate the familiar roads back to the ranch. Every so often, I steal glances at Aubrey, her face softly lit by the passing lights, and I'm struck by the crazy notion of just driving on, leaving everything behind except us and the open road.

"Hey," I break the silence, a playful twinkle in my eye despite the emotional rollercoaster of the evening, "if you ever get tired of the Airbnb, I hear there's a charming rogue with a spacious car willing to whisk you away on an adventure."

She laughs, the sound easing the tension that's crept up between us. "Tempting, Sean. But I think Luke and Emma might have something to say about that plan."

As we pull up to the Airbnb, the reluctance to end the night is palpable, hanging in the air like the final note of a song. "Well, for what it's worth, I had a great time tonight." I say, offering her a wink as she steps out of the car.

"Thank you, for everything," she replies, her smile softening the edges of the night. "Let's see what tomorrow brings."