Chapter 108: Let Me Love You
Diane’s POV
"I realized that you are everything I need, everything I want. I don’t care what anyone thinks or says about us," Noah continued, his voice growing stronger with each word.
"I’m willing to fight the whole universe if it comes to that, because my heart beats for you and no one else."
The room had gone completely silent around us, but I was barely aware of anyone else’s presence. Noah’s words were washing over me like healing balm on wounds I’d thought would never stop aching.
"And these babies," he said, his free hand moving gently toward my rounded belly, "I want to be their father, Diane. I want to shower them with the same love I want to give you, without ever making them feel like they’re anything less than completely wanted. I want to wake up in the middle of the night for feedings, teach them to ride bikes, help with homework, chase away nightmares."
Tears were streaming down my face so freely now that I could barely see him through the blur, but I could hear the emotion thick in his own voice.
"Even if you don’t want me," he whispered, his thumb brushing across my knuckles, "even if you need time, even if you can never see me as more than a friend—I understand completely. But I’ll still be here to care for you and support you for as long as I live. I’ve waited this long to tell you how I feel, so waiting is never a problem for me."
He laughed softly through his own tears, and the sound broke something open in my chest. "God, look at us. We’re both crying messes."
I laughed too, a watery sound that came out as more of a sob. "Noah, I—"
"You don’t have to say anything right now," he interrupted gently. "We can take this easy. You can get to know me better, the real me, not just the friend who’s been helping you fight your battles. If you have doubts, you don’t need to say yes to anything tonight."
But even as he spoke, he stepped closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine. The scent of his cologne mixed with the fragrance of the roses filled my senses, and I felt dizzy with emotions.