Promises (New Beginnings Book 2) by Michelle Lynn Page A

think. I mean, I can see how much he loves her."
    It still hurt Elijah to hear Maggie talk about Jake, but not because he was jealous. It was because it made her so sad. He hated seeing her like that.
    "I just wonder ..." she paused and shifted her eyes away again. "I always wonder ... would he have gotten sober for our babies? They would’ve been just as sweet. Just as beautiful." She wiped a hand at the corner of her eye to staunch the tears.
    "They would’ve been perfect," Elijah said. As much as he wanted to pull her into his arms, her body told him she still wasn't ready for that. "You're going to be a mother one day. I truly believe that."
    "Well, then I've already let you down." She breathed deeply and the look she gave him was broken. "I can't have kids, Elijah. I went to the doctor after the last one and ..."
    Her words caught and she released her hold on her upper arms. Her hands dropped to her sides, and a tear ran down her face. Seeing what she needed now, Elijah stepped towards her and pulled her against him. She shook in his arms and he just held her. He didn't know what else to do. He didn't know what to say.
    So he did what he could. He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tighter.
    "I don't know what to do, Elijah. All this stuff that's been happening is too much. I can't handle it." She pressed her face into his chest and he felt her tears dampen his shirt.
    "You can handle anything."
    "My dad wrote me a letter," she said. "But I couldn't take it. I feel so guilty. I mean, he's dead and I won't read his last words. You knew him. How can I let him back into my head?"
    He smoothed her hair back from her face and looked down at her. He didn't quite know how he felt about what he asked Jason to do with the letter. He hated keeping things from Maggie, but he hoped she'd understand.
    "What do you need?" he asked. "I want to help you."
    "Honestly, I just want to sleep. All this is so exhausting."
    "Okay then." He released her and let her head towards her bedroom.
    Elijah shut his door and changed into a pair of cotton pants.
    By the time he opened Maggie's door, she was already in bed with the lights off. He sat on the bed and pulled back the covers.
    "What are you doing?" Maggie asked.
    "I'm not leaving you alone tonight." He crawled in beside her. "Come here."
    She hesitated before molding herself to him with a big sigh. He smoothed the hair that clung to the tears on her face and watched her as her eyes slid shut.
    "Elijah?" she asked sleepily.
    "Mmm hmm," he responded.
    "Thanks for being here."
     
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    Maggie woke up in a much better mood than she’d been in in weeks. She was on her side, with Elijah curled around her, one arm holding her waist. She felt like a stupid emotional girl for needing him so much, but she couldn't help it. There was no one else in the world who could make her feel any better.
    She turned her head to look back at him and his eyes met hers.
    "You're awake," she said.
    "You're observant," he laughed.
    She smiled and turned in his arms to face him.
    "I'm making a habit of this, aren't I?" She gestured to the two of them in bed.
    "Maggie," he said with mock-seriousness. "I am at your beck and call. I will sleep with you anytime, anywhere." He winked and she punched him in the shoulder.
    "Elijah! Do you have to be such a guy?"
    "Oh, but I am a guy," he laughed. "Want me to prove it to you?"
    "No!"
    He laughed at the rosy color that came to her cheeks, and she hit him harder. He pulled her closer and she tried to wiggle out of his grip.
    "Elijah, stop!" she squealed in between bursts of laughter as he found the spot just below her ribs that was the most ticklish. She squirmed and tried to knee him in the groin, but he was too quick. He caught her leg between his own and continued his assault.
    He stopped suddenly when her fingers inched around to his sides and he realized what she was doing. He had only one ticklish spot, but she knew where it was.
    "Oh no you don't," he