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Solana clings to me, face buried in my neck. I feel her small body shaking as she starts to cry, too.
"I thought... I thought I'd never see you again," she admits between hiccuping sobs.
"No, honey. Dare and I will always find you. No matter where you go, you’ll always end up back in our arms." I kiss her damp cheeks, wipe away her tears.
Over her head, my eyes meet Dare's. His jaw is tight, eyes shadowed. I know getting her back wasn't easy. But he did it. For me. For us.
I cup Solana's face in my hands and make her meet my eyes. "You are part of this family now. No one will ever take you from us again. I promise you that."
Fresh tears spill down her cheeks but she's smiling now. "You mean it? I can stay with you?"
"Forever, honey." I kiss her forehead and draw her close once more.
Dare's presence is a looming force behind me, his body radiating tension. His hand tightens almost painfully on my shoulder as his gaze sweeps the lobby, alert for any threats. Solana is safe in my arms, but he won't relax until we're behind closed doors.
I know he hates feeling this edgy, this out of control. Hates that his uncle almost succeeded in stealing Solana away. But Dare got her back. Checkmated Felix in their twisted game of power and manipulation.
Now Dare and I just need to make it official. Give Solana the home and family she deserves. The words spill out before I can stop them.
My face still pressed against Solana's head when I whisper, "I want to adopt her. Make her legally ours."
Dare goes utterly still. I hold my breath, waiting. This goes against every rule of our arrangement with Hope House. But after almost losing her, I don't care about rules anymore.
Finally Dare nods, his eyes finding mine. "It's about time," he says simply. "I know it's against the Hope House rules, but I don't feel bad about it for an instant."
Relief and joy crash over me. I turn back to Solana, take her small hands in mine.
"How would you like that, little girl? To be part of our family forever?"
Her eyes go wide, still swimming with tears. She looks between me and Dare like she can't quite believe this is real. Then her face crumples and she starts sobbing again, even as she nods her head frantically.
"Yes, yes please! I want to stay with you always!" she manages to get out between heaving breaths.
I sweep Solana into my arms, holding her tightly as she cries into my shoulder. Dare moves closer, wrapping us both in his strong embrace. I meet his eyes over Solana's head and see my own elation mirrored there.
The door bursts open, making us all jump. Aunt Minnie comes bustling in, trailed by a stern-looking doctor clutching a large black bag.
"Let me see the child, let me see!" Aunt Minnie cries, her voice thick with emotion.
She has clearly been crying, her eyes red-rimmed behind her glasses.
With gentle hands, I detach Solana from my neck and pass her over to Aunt Minnie's waiting arms. The doctor steps in, opening his bag on the nearby table.
"I must examine her thoroughly, just to make sure she's in good shape," he declares officiously.
Solana shrinks back against Aunt Minnie's bosom but allows the doctor to take her wrist, checking her pulse and peering into her eyes.
Dare hovers close, tension radiating from him. I know he won't relax until we have confirmation of Solana's health. I slip my hand into his, anchoring him as the doctor continues his methodical inspection.
After what seems an eternity, the doctor steps back. "She is in perfect health," he pronounces.“We will want to keep an eye on her burns, of course. But I think Solana will be just fine.”
Dare's shoulders slump in relief. Aunt Minnie makes the sign of the cross, praising God as she rocks a now sleepy-eyed Solana. The ordeal has exhausted the poor child.
I nod to Aunt Minnie, who understands my silent request and carries Solana off to bed. The child is barely awake, her little hand curled against Aunt Minnie's collar.
As their footsteps fade down the hall, Dare pulls me into his arms. For a long moment we simply hold each other, processing the tumultuous events of the past few hours. So much has changed, so quickly.
"I can't believe you managed to trick Felix," I finally say, pulling back to search Dare's face. "Handing over your inheritance, your place as CEO..."
