Jake's breath hovered warm against Bella's lips as he searched her eyes like he was afraid this moment would vanish if he blinked too long.
"Bell…" his voice cracked slightly, the words fighting their way out. "I need you to hear me properly this time because I mean every single word I'm going to say."
She held still, her fingers still curled in his shirt, her chest rising and falling fast.
Jake swallowed hard. "I know I messed up before but if you give me this chance, I'm going to do better. I mean it. I'll change. I'll be better for you… and for Timothy." His voice softened with sincerity that trembled. "And for any child you might ever want to adopt later. If that's something you'd want. Even if I… can't have others, I'd love them all like they're ours."
Bella's lips parted gently, caught off guard by how thoroughly he'd thought about her future dreams including the ones she had never said out loud.
