AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And you’re so casual about this…”
“Well, since it’s out in the open, I may as well admit to it. And since you said Noelle doesn’t have to know, even better. I’d actually rather have a chance at reconciliation with my sister. Despite our differences, I do love her.”
“Right,” I mutter dryly. “You sure have a way of showing it.”
He shrugs.
“I made sure she was happy—even if she hated me for it.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand you, Cisco.”
“You don’t have to.” He smiles. “Sometimes I don’t understand myself either,” he pauses, frowning. “Except Yuyu. Somehow, she understands me even when I don’t understand myself,” he adds pensively, tapping a finger to his chin.
“I guess I’ll have to get used to your eccentric ways since we’re technically family.” I roll my eyes. “But no more murder squads, okay?”
“I can’t promise anything.” He angles his shoulders in a lazy shrug. “Don’t fight with your wife again and I won’t interfere.”
I stare at him, flabbergasted.
“Damn, Cisco. You might actually care about your sister,” I say, unsure whether this is a good thing or a bad one.
* * *
“It’s time to go to bed,” I tell Malia gently as I swoop her into my arms. She barely has the strength to nod, too tired from running around all day.
“I want Snow with me,” she murmurs.
I give a panicked glance to Noelle, who nods and immediately goes to look for the cat.
“Mommy is bringing her to you.”
“Good. Thank you, Daddy.” She smiles, and I tighten my arms around her little form.
“You’re welcome, my little wonder.”
She’s half asleep by the time I get to her room and lay her in bed. Although we haven’t had the time to decorate the entire house yet, we prioritized her room so she’d feel comfortable and at home. Somehow, I wasn’t even surprised when she chose a mix of black and red for her furniture and her toys—it seems to be her favorite combination.
Of course, when Noelle had seen her choices, she’d proudly declared, “That’s my daughter.” I can’t really fault her for it, since it’s clear that while she inherited my coloring, her personality is all Noelle.
But maybebecauseof that Noelle is even more careful with her, trying to make sure Malia understands that it’s okay to be different. I think at times she sees herself in her and how her childhood had more or less been stripped away from her due to the unreasonable expectations placed on her.
“She’s never going to worry about that,” Noelle had asserted. “She’s going to be free to be who she wants to be, and when she’s old enough, she’s going to be allowed to pursue both her passion and her heart.”
“As long as she’s safe,” I’d added with a raised brow.
She’d agreed… to a degree. But we’d worry about that later. As if I’d let my little girl do anything dangerous. I almost snort out loud at the thought. Right…notgoing to happen. It’s not as if I’d object to much. She can pursue her passion, of course, but when it comes to her heart… I’ll have to vet that individual first.
Alas, luckily there’s still time until that will be a concern. But when it does…
I shake myself from my musings as I tuck her into bed. Yet as I make to leave, she doesn’t let go of my hand, struggling to keep her eyes open.
“I love you, Daddy,” she says in a small voice.
I squeeze her hand lightly, tears stabbing at my eyes.
“I love you, too, Malia.”
Noelle tip-toes around the room, the fluffy cat in her arms.
