Making Me Believe by Kirsten Osbourne

grieving and hadn’t been able to see past that to anyone else.”
    He laughed. “I did grieve for the life I thought I’d have with her. I thought I’d found the perfect woman.” He knew he’d found the perfect woman now. Well, perfect for him, anyway.
    “I’m sorry you went through that,” she said. She walked over to sit beside him on the couch, and stroked his arm.
    He turned to her. “I’ve never told anyone the full truth of what happened between us. I just didn’t feel like I wanted to dredge all that up again.”
    She sat thinking about all he’d said for a minute. “Why did you still have her picture?”
    “Every time I met a girl that I thought I wanted to start a relationship with, I’d get out her picture and look at it. It was my way of reminding myself what I didn’t want from life. I don’t want a Jill in my life.” He ran his fingers along her jaw. “I want a Rose in my life. I want someone who will give of herself and truly care about me.”
    She turned her head and kissed the palm of his hand. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend my life with.”
    He lowered his head and kissed her. “I thought that I was in love with Jill right up until a couple of months ago. And then I met this girl in a laundromat and knew almost immediately what love really feels like. What I felt for Jill was lust. I was in thrall of her beauty. But you, Rose, you turned my world upside down when you helped me sort my laundry and told me that you wouldn’t have sex before marriage.”
    She smiled, her whole face lighting up. “I love you, too. I knew after our first date that I loved you. I wouldn’t have married you otherwise.”
    He pulled her close and hugged her tightly. “I need you in my life. I’m sorry that I made you feel like I was still in love with Jill.”
    “No need to apologize. I understand why you didn’t want to talk about it. Please try not to shut me out about things like that again. I’m confident, but even I’m not that confident.” She snuggled into him. “I do have one more thing to talk about.”
    “What’s that?” he asked.
    “I saw the doctor Thursday morning. The first of five will be born in about eight months,” she grinned. She had wanted all to be right between them before she told him. This seemed the perfect time.
    “Seriously? That was fast! Should you be doing all the work you’re doing for the book store then? Should we put that off?” he asked.
    “I’m doing some interviewing this week for a couple of employees. With help, I’ll be able to go to the doctor whenever I need to. All will be good. Of course, you’ll have to give up your office, and let me turn it into a nursery,” she said with a grin.
    “I can handle that. Just so you and the baby are healthy.”