How do I break through my boyfriends "tough-guy" shell?

This one is a tough one honey... well it seems that he does love u but at the same time i think he has issues with letting someone get too into his life. he has issues with letting his guard down cause he is afraid u will hurt him, abandonment issues due to his mother's death. Well u have to be patient. Stop talking about romance or love just do something. i think in his case actions speak louder than words. like do things that he really like for example if he likes basketball buy two tickets for u to go with him to his favourite team. do small things like that were he will be happy and it will show him through actions that he should want u to be a major part of his life. sometimes all a person needs is to how them that u are there for them in an unselfish way. When ur with the kids and he is having fun just go up to him smile and kiss his cheek or give him a pinch in the something small like that. he doesn't have to reciprocate its just a small gesture that u love him. keep it simple. stop discussing this issue with him and just do little actions eventually if he really loves u he will start to reciprocate, hopefully. just be patient and understanding, give love without expecting u will get some in return...