“I’m cooking your favourite for dinner,” Zara announced to her mother.
“Thank you, darling,” Lily said, pulling Zara in for a hug. Then, kissing her cheek, she said, “Can you do me a favour and finish packing my toiletries for me?”
Zara didn’t hesitate to help, shocking the absolute shit out of me.
Twenty minutes later, Zara and Holly had their mother all packed up, and after Lily was discharged, we exited the hospital.
“I love you, King,” Lily said as we walked behind the kids.
“Even though I’m a moody bastard?”
She blessed me with one of her smiles I fucking lived for.
Then, linking her fingers with mine, she said, “Yeah, even though you’re a moody bastard. But I do love you a little more on the days your Dick Club membership isn’t loud and proud.”
I pulled her to me and slid my arm around her waist. “So fucking long as you don’t love me less on the other days, I’m good.”
“I don’t love you less on those days.” She rested her head against my arm. “I will never love you less. Never.”
I inhaled a deep breath, exhaling it and any worries I might have had after finding Lily in the state she was earlier.
She was going to be okay because I’d make fucking sure of it.
And we were going to be okay because she loved me just as much as I loved her.
No woman had ever accepted my moody ass the way Lily had, or loved me in spite of it the way she did.
I was the fucking luckiest bastard alive.
8
J & MADISON
WILLOW’S FIRST BIKE RIDE
Willow is 4, Jewel is 2
(which is 7 years after Storm)
Madison’s POV
“Daddy, I’m ready!”Willow bounces beside her bike, her long dark hair braided back the way J likes it. “Take the baby wheels off now!”
J glances at me, and I see the mix of pride and protectiveness in his blue eyes. He’s been talking about this moment since the day he brought home her first bike, but now that it’s here, I can tell he’s as nervous as I am.
“You sure about this, baby girl?” He crouches down beside her. “No shame in keeping the training wheels a bit longer.”
She puts her hands on her hips in a move that’s pure attitude. God help us when she’s a teenager. “I’m a big girl now. Please, Daddy?”
He chuckles and ruffles her hair. “Okay, angel. Let me grab my tools.”
While J removes the training wheels, I settle on a chair in our front yard with Jewel in my lap. Our younger daughter squirms, desperate to be wherever her big sister is. “Soon, baby,” I tell her. “When you’re bigger like Willow.”
“Ready for your first big-girl ride?” J asks Willow once he’s finished.
She nods, suddenly looking less certain now that the moment is here.
“Hey.” J tips her chin up. “I’ve got you. Trust me?”
