E I G H T Y - O N E

EVA.

"I can't let you hurt me again, Emerson. I can't handle you breaking my heart again. " I whisper to him and he shakes his head several times before he opens his mouth, "I won't. I promise you I won't, baby. I— I love you, Eva. Baby, please. "

"You said those same words once, and look where we are. " I remind him of his once made promise and he says, "I told you, Eva. You'd never be in the pain alone. Look at me, baby. Does it seem like I find joy in this? "

"I can't, Emerson. I just can't. "

"Yes, you can. " He persists, his head falling against my thigh again, and he buries his face in it. "You can, baby. You have to forgive me. You have to give me a chance to make it right again. You— you have to. Please. This will never repeat itself. I promise you that every decision I make for the both of us will be by the both of us. I'm willing to do anything, Eva. Just don't take this away from me. Don't take this away from us. "

I bite down on my lips to stop the sobs that urge to brea