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“Come on, Blake, let go,” I whisper, nipping at his earlobe.
“Oh, God,” he hisses and, on cue, we both find our release.
My body trembles with aftershocks and as I move to stand, he tightens his grip around me, burying his face in my hair.
“Don’t move, yet. Please,” he whispers and I hold him against me, the strain in his voice pulling at something inside me.
Everything I felt for him a year ago is still there, and even more intense than it once was. No matter what happens this time around, one thing is for sure . . . I’ll never be able to leave him again.
It’d take one hell of an event to pull me from him. After a while, I stand and retrieve his clothes. Kneeling in front of him, I silently help him back into his pants. He grins at me, but it doesn’t touch his eyes. Something still isn’t right with him, but he won’t tell me.
“Get into bed. Are you hungry? I could have Teresa make you something.”
He lies back on the pillows, shaking his head. “No, baby. Come lay with me.”
My lips quirk up as I crawl across the bed, snuggling against him, my head on his chest. His heart beating in my ears is musical, and it’s the first time I’ve been content in a long time. My lids flutter closed, my mind drifting toward darkness, exhaustion taking over. Sighing, I give in, letting the gentle rise and fall of Blake’s chest lull me to sleep.
5
~Lily~
Mommy has screamed for hours, but no one will tell me what’s happening to her. Her tummy started hurting earlier, and Daddy called for some lady from the village. They’ve all been in Mommy’s room since.
On the floor, I rock back and forth, holding my dolly tight. Maybe Mommy’s belly exploded. It’s been bigger than a bolder for a while. I hope she’s okay.
The bedroom door creaks open, but I stare at the fireplace. I don’t want to make Daddy mad today. He’s been nice the last few days and hasn’t hurt me. I like when he’s nice.
“Mihnea,” Daddy says quietly.
“Yes, Daddy?”
“Come here.”
I get up and move to him, keeping my eyes down. He runs his fingers through my hair and touches my cheek. It’s nice when Daddy is soft. I like him better this way. He takes my hand and leads me into Mommy’s room. I look up, and she’s lying in bed, the blankets neatly around her. She’s holding a small lump in her arms, and her face is pale. She looks sleepy.
Daddy lifts me and sits me next to Mommy. She turns the lump toward me, and there’s a little face in the blankets. It’s a baby! My eyes widen and I reach out to touch it, but pull my hand back, afraid Daddy will be mad if I touch it.
“You can touch her,” he says softly.
“Her?”
“Yes, Mihnea. Marcela is your new sister. You have to be good to her. Protect her and take care of her. That’s what big sisters do. Can you promise to do that?”
“Yes, Daddy. I promise.”
The baby’s eyes flutter open and she looks at me, scrunching up her face. Her eyes are the same deep blue as mine. She’s really pretty. Like a baby doll. I lay my dolly on the blanket, under her face so she can still see.
“She can have my dolly,” I say, quickly putting my hands in my lap.
“What do you think, Mihnea?”
“She’s pretty. I’ll protect her, Daddy. I promise. You’ll see. I’ll make you really proud of me this time.”
“I know you will, my girl. I know you will.”
He leans down and kisses my head as I reach out and touch Marcela’s hand. She curls her fingers around mine, and I smile down at her. My Marcela. I’ll protect her from everything. Even Daddy, when he gets mad.
†††
