My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus) novel Chapter 1090

While Valerie packed up their things for the move back to Hesperia, Peter was driving with Celeste and their little girls toward Willowcombe.

He was taking her to see how the renovations on the house—where they'd soon be living—were coming along.

Celeste was in the back seat with the girls, tending to them, though her mind kept drifting back to memories.

Less than a year ago, she'd imagined a very different future. When she found out she was pregnant, things between her and Peter weren't exactly great.

She figured her life wouldn't be easy again—but she also knew she was strong, and that she'd raise her daughters no matter what.

Now, looking at where she was, she couldn't help but feel… strange.

The Peter beside her wasn't at all like the man she'd once fallen in love with. But she was thankful that this man—the one here now—was choosing to walk beside her.

He tried every day to win her over again. Everything he did was to make her happy. She was practically living with a man who didn't remember much about his past—at least not half of it.

"What are you thinking about?" Peter asked, noticing his future wife staring off into the distance.

"Oh… nothing. Well, everything, actually. Peter… Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. Go ahead."

"Are you really sure… that you want to spend your whole life with me?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Peter was taken aback by the question. He pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the car, walked to her door, opened it, and offered his hand to help her out.

"Why that question all of a sudden?" he asked, looking straight into her eyes.

"Well… it's just… Coming back to my old house in Willowcombe brought back a lot of memories."

"Look, Celeste… I know what's probably going through your mind. You're thinking I'm still the same man you met back then. But I'm not. The man standing in front of you today is someone who's grateful to have you in his life.

"I'm a man who—believe it or not—loves you, with everything I have. And okay, that might not be much. My memories, as you know, are scattered… but I like what I do remember. I like that we're building new memories. I like this life we're creating together.

"I won't lie to you—this path has been long. And yeah, there have been times when I've asked myself the same question you just did. But not because I doubt what I feel for you—never that. It's just… I worry that one day, you'll wake up and think I'm not good enough. Not for you, not for the girls.

"But I love them with all my heart. I love this life—just the way it is. I love you. And yeah, I know it sounds crazy, because we barely know each other—at least not in the conventional way. But let me tell you something…

"I don't need years to love someone. I love you just because you're here. Because of our late-night talks, when you tell me about your dreams… about what you want for our girls," he said, gesturing to the little car seats behind them.

"Just look at them—they're beautiful. And yeah, I know everything I did in the past probably still has you doubting me. But you should also know something: these girls weren't created from a one-night stand. These beautiful little souls were born from love.

"Well… with time and a really great team of designers," Peter said proudly. "Do you like it? Come, take a look around. Everything's still the same—I just added a few more rooms and bought some more land for us."

Celeste's eyes sparkled with wonder.

"I love it. It's incredibly beautiful. Everything is perfect. You've done an amazing job!"

"Now you've got a space to start painting again. And you better hurry—because I've got a few friends I've told about your work."

"Really?"

"Of course! Hey—come here, I need to show you something," Peter said, taking her hand.

They walked down the hallway, and he handed her one of the car seats so he could open a door.

"Look!" he said, pushing it open.

A soft pastel-colored room came into view. A large crib where both girls could sleep together, a cozy rocking chair, and tons of toys decorated the room.

"Peter… this is… it's… it's beautiful," Celeste said, her eyes filling with tears.