Page 190 of Rush
"Yeah, it is."
He sits on the bed and pulls me down beside him.
"You miss it?" he asks.
"Sometimes. But it's not home anymore."
"No?"
"No. Home is Dublin now. With you."
He touches my face. "You're sure about that?"
"Completely sure. This is just where I'm from. Dublin is where I chose to be."
"We could stay here if you wanted. I could transfer chapters."
I shake my head. "No, I don't want that. I love Dublin. I love our life there. This is just a visit."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure, Rush. Dublin is home."
He pulls me close and I rest my head on his chest.
"I was scared coming here," he admits.
"Why?"
"Because this is your territory, your family. I thought they'd convince you to stay."
"They couldn't even if they tried. I chose Dublin. I chose you. That doesn't change just because I'm back here."
"Good."
I take his hand and place it on my stomach. The baby's been active all day, probably reacting to my stress.
"She's moving," I say.
His eyes widen. "Can I feel it?"
"Yeah."
We wait and then the baby kicks, firm against his palm. Rush's face transforms, awe replacing everything else.
"Every time I feel that it gets more real," he says.
"I know."
He leans down and presses his forehead to my stomach.
"Hey kid," he says quietly. "We're in South Carolina visiting your grandpa. But don't get too comfortable here. We're going home to Dublin soon."
My chest tightens watching him. He's not afraid anymore, not second-guessing. He's planning, building and staying.
The next day, we spend time with my extended family—aunts and uncles and cousins I haven't seen in months. Everyone wants to touch my stomach, ask about the pregnancy, meet Rush. He handles it better than I expected, polite and present.
By evening I'm exhausted. We escape back to the clubhouse and my dad finds us in the common room.
