Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 44

44

CALL ME “HOME”

MATT

TWO WEEKS LATER

H eath and his wife Nita were both arrested and charged with abduction and attempted murder. They found Cat, and she was physically unharmed. I called to apologize to her, and she said it was all part of the job. I think she’s in shock.

Anna, my lawyer, let me know yesterday that Hollie is willing to testify against her parents now. Hollie is the one who alerted the police to Heath and Nita’s plans. A couple of weeks ago when Hollie found out her parents got visitation rights to Simon, she went to confront them. She used her key to get in their house and overheard Nita’s conversation with one of the men who was holding my mom hostage.

Hollie grabbed Simon from the nanny, fled the house and immediately called the police to report her parents. She drove Simon to the police station so they could get him back to me. She saved him, and I’ll always be grateful to her.

When SWAT got to my mom, she was unharmed, thankfully. She has an appointment scheduled with a counselor in Miami, and my family is the talk of Aveline these days.

We found an attorney who takes on corporate scandals, and he and his firm said we have a strong case against them. After giving our attorney and the police the audio recording of Ian from the day we met him, the police opened an investigation on Ian and his father.

Both Ian and Mr. Crane, along with Kevin, are on house arrest during the investigation. Jasmine believes Kevin is innocent, so at least he can be free at home for the time being.

It’s been overwhelming, and Jasmine still feels uncomfortable in our house. I get it, so we’ve been house searching.

Today, Simon and I have a surprise for Jasmine. While we prepare, she’s in our bedroom reading a romance book Shyla recommended to her.

Shyla, Aerica and Hope added Jasmine to their group texts, and she loves having them as friends.

“Okay, princess. We’re ready,” I call, then hear the bedroom door open .

When she walks out, her brown eyes sparkle in surprise. She doesn’t wear her color contacts anymore. Last week, she went to a hair salon my mom recommended so she can start to get the dark box dye out of her hair. Her hair is several shades lighter, and she said she feels more like herself again.

All around the living room, I’ve got bouquets of sunflowers in vases.

“Matt, this is beautiful,” she exclaims, and I beam with pride. Making her and Simon happy makes my world brighter.

“Simon tried to eat several of the flower petals, but I stopped him,” I say, and she laughs.

I set Simon in his rocker so he can sit and face us, then take a deep breath.

“We’ve sort of talked about this the last couple of weeks, but I want to officially draw a line in the sand about where I stand.”

“Okay.” Her brows knit together in thoughtfulness. “What’s up?”

“You’re free to go back to New York, but I still want you in my life. Simon and I need you. We love you. Even if that means moving, we’ll do it.”

I’ve asked her the last couple of weeks to consider where she wants to live. If New York is where she wants to be, I’ll figure out a way to find a job there. Jasmine is my soulmate, and I want to be where she is.

Colorado would be my choice. I’ve spent my life surrounded by water, and going to visit Hope and her friends the last couple of years has made me fall in love with the mountains. I wouldn’t mind raising Simon there. One thing is for certain: Jasmine doesn’t want to stay in this house, and I’m okay with that.

She takes a deep breath, then replies, “I don’t want to go back to New York.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. While I’m willing to move anywhere if it means Jasmine is in my life, I have zero connections in New York.

I get down on one knee, and Jasmine inhales deeply.

“You married me and became Pepper Galloway to help me gain custody of Simon. I’d love for you to marry me again as Jasmine, because I need you.” I look at Simon, then back to her. “Simon and I both need you. I love you. Will you be my wife forever? I have full custody of Simon. There’s no one else I’d rather have in our family as my wife and as Simon’s mom.”

“Wait, what? Simon’s mom?” She mouths, then tears up. “That’s…that’s forever, Matt.”

“It is forever, princess. Every boy needs a mom, and you’ve been here since day one. I want you to be the one I kiss when I come home from work. I want you to be who I stay up late with when we can’t get Simon to sleep. You’re the one I want to be grumpy with because we’re sleep deprived. Well, I’ll try not to be a jerk, but I don’t want to do this with anyone else. I want it to be with you. I want to be the safe place you call home, princess. Will you choose me forever?”

Jasmine looks at me like I have antennae growing out of my head. Maybe I misread the room.

She takes a deep breath, then shares, “When I thought Heath was going to kill us, I wanted more time. Not in New York with my old life. I wanted more time with you and Simon, and your family. This is the life I choose. I’ve always wanted love, but it’s never been reciprocated in my relationships. I love you, and you love me back . I seriously can’t believe it’s finally happening. I want to be your wife. I don’t want to look for anything better than what I have here with you, because I’ve already found the best. And being Simon’s mom would be an absolute dream come true,” she grins, then launches herself into my arms.

We roll on the floor until I land on top of her and cradle her head in my hands.

“You’re what I’ve always wanted,” she whispers.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“I’ve always wanted to have forever with someone. You’re my forever, Matt.”

“Mmm, I like that. I’ll be your forever, princess. à toi, pour toujours . Yours forever.”