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Lost.
I don’t trust myself.
Half a man.
Not a day goes by I don’t thank God I had her for a little while.
Time flies.
Take the good with the bad.
I love you.
I’ll take you exactly as you are.
“Okay.”
He froze, then looked up at me. “Okay?”
I nodded. Swallowed the pain. “You do what you need to do and then come back to me.”
His hands shot out and grasped me under my arms. Stretching out underneath me, he tucked my head under his chin and pressed me tightly to his chest.
His heart raced.
“Please.” His voice cracked. He cleared his throat, but it was husky when he continued. “Please don’t leave me.”
I wrapped my arms around his back and held him tight.
“I won’t.”
We lay together, not speaking, until Inky woke from her nap.
I lifted her from her crib and brought her downstairs, my palm cupping her silky head. Groggy from her nap, she lay against my chest, cuddly and warm. I didn’t want to lose her. I stood at the bottom of the stairs, rocking her back and forth, rubbing my cheek against hers.
When I could bear it no longer, I brought her to Ares.
“I’m going to go.”
He looked at me, alarm on his beautiful face.
“When do you leave?”
“Late tomorrow night.”
I bent and brushed a kiss over Sia’s little head, then took Ares’ face in my hands. Slowly, reverently, I kissed his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks, and finally, his trembling mouth.
“I love you. Don’t forget that when you’re gone.”
He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He swallowed and nodded instead.
I walked toward the hallway but turned back at the door.
His eyes followed me.
“Ares?”
“Yes?” he croaked.
