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Skin-to-skin also helped to relax her, and the clockwise motion I was doing on the back of her hand was doing the trick. Her eyes hooded slightly, and she let out a large breath.
“Our conversation switched to home when he asked me about my friend Veronica, and if I’d heard from her, which I haven’t because she thinks I’m lounging on the beaches of Italy working on my tan. Then he said my parents had called him because they’d heard through his parents that I was with him in Montana.”
Her eyes squeezed shut as if the very thought of her parents pained her.
“You’re okay, honey. I’m here, and no one can hurt you.”
She nodded her head and swallowed, opening her eyes, and I witnessed the panic in their depths.
“They want to talk to me, Daddy, but I can’t. I just can’t. They are so mean, and they bully me. I’m afraid they’ll take me away from you.”
I released her hand and gently cupped her chin. “No one is taking you away from me, not them or anyone else, Harmony. You belong with me.”
She threw her arms around my neck and buried her face in my shirt. “Do you promise?” came her muffled voice.
“I do promise. Did they specify how they wanted to talk to you?”
She nodded into my chest. “They want to come here in person.” Great sobs rent the air as Harmony unleashed all of her pent-up emotions.
“Well, they can’t just come here, and after I speak with Derek, he will forbid it.”
“Really?” She pulled back her tear-stained face.
“Really. We can arrange a video call, and I will be there with you for support. We’ll find you the perfect costume that makes you feel empowered, and I will coach you throughout the call. How does that sound?”
I could tell by her fluctuating expressions that she was debating what I’d suggested.
“Any costume?”
I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me. “Yes, whatever you feel strongest wearing. Why, did you have an idea of what that is?”
She nodded her head vigorously. “A fairy!”
Inwardly I groaned; outwardly, I smiled in support of her idea.
“Great idea!”
She clapped her hands in excitement, a complete 180 from moments ago. She ran so hot and cold; how could her parents have dismissed her behavior? Harmony had been giving them clear signs of needing support all her life until she just gave up.
They’d had their chance, and now I would protect her from all her demons and support her through the good and the bad.
Whoa! Slow down, Gray, that almost sounds like marriage vows.
I hadn’t considered that we’d grown so close in such a short amount of time. But I could definitely see it in our future. Not just our dynamic, but a marriage of minds, bodies, and souls. The question, however, still remained as to where that future would take place.
“Are you comfortable with me talking to Jacob on your behalf?”
“Yes. Yes, please.”
“Perfect. No more stress. Let Daddy handle things from here, and all you have to do is put together your fairy outfit. Okay?”
“Okay, Daddy.” She hopped off my lap and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?”
She opened the door. “Silly Daddy. To see Margaret, of course.”
“And she is?”
