"Well, fuck, Slim. I love the hell out of both of you."

He can't think of another place he'd rather be, another woman he'd rather be with. And the baby... she makes his life so much richer.

So much.

"Just goes to show: we don't always know what's best for us until we find it. I wouldn't trade what I have with you and Junior for anything. Even if it was... guaranteed happiness because right now, I couldn't be happy without you and that's something I know." Leaning into her, he kisses the back of her neck: he hopes like hell it gives her a case of the shivers. When she does that to him, he sure as fuck reacts.

Honestly, he can't imagine living his life without his Beths. Even though there's nothing that guarantees they'll always be together, he has to go on faith. He has to believe that things will work out. Otherwise, there's no point to it and he lived under a cloud of doubt for so damn long. He refuses to do it any more.

"I don't say this shit to make you feel trapped. I mean, whatever happens happens, right? I've always said that. But I sure as hell hope whatever happens includes you and baby Beth. if they don't... I'll cross that bridge when I come to it but right now, I'm..." Stopping, he lets out a little laugh: she means it all to him. "...just about perfectly content."

He traces little circles on Beth's hip with the tips of his fingers, doubting he's ever meant anything more than what he's just said to her.

And hopes like hell the universe doesn't take her away from him again: he's not sure he can stand to go through that one more time.