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She presses a kiss against my chest. "Wherever you are, Gray, I'll be. I love you."
I kiss the top of her head. "I love you too, honey. Sleep."
She sighs as she snuggles against me. "Night, Gray. Sweet dreams."
She has no idea just how fucking sweet my dreams are now that I'm with her.
Her breathing evens out as she falls back to sleep. I keep her close to me, trying to find my own sleep, but it's hard. My mind is whirling as thoughts about Tyson chase me. I just wish I hadn't made the connection to our looks. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be stuck in this fucking limbo.
CHAPTER26
ESME
"Esme," Octavia says as I exit mine and Gray's bedroom. She doesn't look as upset as she did last night. I'm glad she took some time alone. She truly needed it.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" I ask as I get close to her. "Did you manage to get some sleep?"
She nods as she links her arm through mine. "I did, thank you. You have no idea just how much I needed it. Thank you, Es."
"You're welcome. It was fun. I think Sera had a great time too. She showed me everything in her room and then crashed while I was, like, a third of the way through the story."
Tavia grins. "Yeah, she's always like that. The moment anyone starts to read to her, she falls to sleep before the end of the story."
"What's your plan for today?" I ask her. "I've got the girls this morning, so what do you have planned?"
Her grin widens. "I'm going to kiss the girls goodbye and then I'm going back to bed with Tate."
I laugh. "That sounds like an amazing morning. If Digger is anything like Gray, you're going to be exhausted come the evening."
Her eyes widen comically, and it makes me laugh harder. "No," she says, shaking her head. "I'm not as young as I used to be. Besides, we have sleep to catch up on."
I frown. "How do you manage to catch up on five yea,rs’ worth?"
She shakes her head. "No idea, but I'm sure going to try." We walk into the kitchen, where Eda has breakfast cooking and Sera is already dressed and ready for school. I'm shocked. I hadn't realized the girl was eager to go to school.
"Sera," Tavia says sweetly. "Who got you dressed this morning?"
"Ruby," Sera replies. "She woke me up this morning and helped me get dressed."
Kids always know when things aren't right, and Ruby’s probably feeling her mom’s pain. It’s sweet that she’s trying to help out, but I don't want her to feel left out.
"Awesome," I say with a grin. "You have the best sister."
"Auntie Es, do you have any sisters?"
"Nope. But I do have a smelly brother," I reply as I take a seat opposite the sweet girl.
"Okay, baby, give me a kiss and do exactly as Auntie Es says, okay?"
Sera nods. "Okay, Mama. I hope you feel better," she says softly, pressing a big kiss to her mom's cheek. "Have Daddy sing to you. That's what you do when I'm sick."
I press my lips together to stop the laughter from bubbling up. I can imagine Digger serenading Octavia to cheer her up.
"I'll say it to him, baby," Octavia says through her laugh. "But be good for Auntie Es."
"I will. I promise," she replies sweetly.
"See you tonight," Tavia says, running her hand over her head and leaving the kitchen. My heart hurts for her. She's hurting and she's alone. I don't know how to help her. I wish there was something I could do for her.
