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“You made Mommy cry. Mommy doesn’t cry.”
“I’m sorry. I…” Okay, maybe I do need Liv. I swallow as she continues to stare at me. “Your mom and I had a disagreement.”
“You left.”
The accusation hits me hard, but I hear the pain. I didn’t actually leave, but I made sure to avoid the kids this week. Well, except Wednesday when Sammy and Houdini cornered me. But that was the only time I relented. It was cowardly since it was about preserving my heart. I was being honest with my sister. I love Callie and Sammy, and it was going to be too hard to let them go if I got more attached.
Her lower lip trembles, and Jesus, how do guys stand up against little girls?
“Your mommy needed time. I gave her time.”
“She asked for time for what? Jeez, everyone knows she’s crazy about you.”
“Everyone?”
She nods. “That nosey Mrs. Petersen is always talking about it.” She rolls her eyes. “Plus, you make Mommy happy.”
“Yeah?”
“She smiles more when you’re around. Then you left.”
Sammy was ready to accept me, but I did the one thing that Callie thinks all men do. She remembers her father, even if it is hazy. Sammy never had that, and as sad as that is, it makes it easier in this situation.
“I can’t promise not to make your mom cry again. I’m a stupid man, and I make mistakes. We all make them. But I would never intentionally hurt her, you, or Sammy.”
“You promise?”
I nod. I see her lip tremble again as she fights against showing her fear.
“But I need you to do something for me.”
“What?” she asks, her voice small as if she is barely holding it together.
“I need you to let us know if you aren’t happy about things. You don’t have to do everything on your own. You know that, right?”
“I can handle things.”
Oh, this girl, she’s stealing my heart. She is definitely her mother’s daughter.
“I know you can. But you don’t have to. You have your mom, Sammy, your big family. And now you have mine.”
She studies me for a moment. “You mean Everly?”
I nod. “And Quinn. Plus, there’s Quinn’s family. I mean, Carter always loves to hang out with the girls.”
Her lips twitch. “He does.” Of course, she knows Carter Hawthorne. He gets around.
“And I want you to know that you will always have me, no matter what happens with your mom and me.”
Just saying the words solidify everything. This little girl, her brother, and their mother will be forever part of my world. I can’t give them up, ever.
She’s staring at me with the same serious expression I get from Liv. I go with my first instinct and open my arms. She dives into them, and I pull her close. I can smell the bubble gum shampoo she loves as she wraps her little arms around me.
“I love you, Mason.” That little voice hits me even harder than hearing Liv saying the words. I blink as my vision wavers. It’s then that I notice Liv is standing close by and watching. Sammy steps up beside her, eating a pancake like Avery was just a few minutes earlier.
I wave them closer, and they join us. Callie moves back as Liv sits down, and Sammy launches himself at me. He lands with a thud as he wraps his arms around me, still holding the pancake, so there is a good chance I got some of it in my hair.
“All good?” Liv asks.
