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Emotions bubble in my throat as I gently lean her head back and pour the water over her hair.
“Does your belly feel better now, Little Blue?”
“Mmhmm,” she hums softly as my fingers work through her hair, lulling her into serenity as I push shampoo through her strands and repeat the process.
“Do you love Mommy?” she asks, wiping her eyes when I’m finally done washing her hair and body.
Sitting back on the floor, my stomach drops at her question. “I do,” I whisper, grabbing a towel to wipe her face off. “I’ve known your mommy since she was your age. We were best friends.”
“Then why didn’t you want me?” she whispers, squeezing her little eyes shut. Her little lips quiver, and she sniffles, trying hard to hold back her heavy emotions.
“No,” I whisper frantically, clutching her little face between my palms. “I always wanted you. I just didn’t know about you as I should have.” Fuck. My heart pounds in my chest when she sniffles, slicing through my fucking soul. No child should have to feel such deep, earth-shattering emotions. “I’ve always wanted you, Little Blue. Even if I didn’t know about you. I swear, baby girl. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Daddy,” she whispers, leaning into my touch.
“How about we get you out of there and into some pajamas? Then you can show me what you watch on your tablet,” I murmur with a broken heart until she nods.
“Okay, Daddy,” she says softly as I grab a towel and help her out.
Once she’s wrapped tight in a towel, I set her on my bed and dig out an old Whispered Words shirt. Much to her delight. It’s like the entire night didn’t happen when she climbs under my sheets after grabbing her tablet.
Selfishly I keep her to myself in my bedroom, lying in bed together under the blankets. Thankfully, the other guys give me that time to cuddle with my baby. Lyric smiles and laughs, like our conversation in the bathroom hadn’t shattered her, as we watch her favorite YouTube videos until she falls asleep with her tablet clutched to her chest.
“I’ll never let you down again,” I murmur into her wet hair, knowing at some point in her life, I’ll disappoint her. I’m not perfect. But I’ll try to be for her sake. I’ll be the best damn father I can be. Unlike mine. He walked away without regretting a damn thing. But that’s not me. I walked away, sure. But I didn’t know about her.
At some point in the night, I wake up with my brows furrowing in confusion. Last I knew, Lyric was snuggled beside me. Now, a warm body presses against mine, clutching tightly to my side.
My fingers roam the body beside mine, taking in the curvy figure snuggling into my side. Yeah, that’s not Lyric anymore. That’s my girl. My River Blue. I don’t even have to open my eyes. My fingertips are my looking glass, revealing the woman I’m madly in love with. I’m about to open my mouth and ask her what the hell she’s doing here, but she beats me to it.
“She woke up and went to sleep with Asher. She’s playing musical beds. By morning she’ll be right back to where she started,” River murmurs against my bare chest.
I blow out a breath, kissing her forehead. “And now, you’re here.”
“I didn’t want to be alone,” she whispers, shifting so her eyes connect with mine. Only a sliver of moonlight through the blinds reveals them to me.
“You’re never alone when you have us.” Gently, I move a piece of hair out of her face, taking in the beauty of my best friend. My girl. My fucking everything lying beside me. “Did something happen?”
Her brows furrow. “It’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid. Whatever it is. You just had someone following you around for three years. You’re on edge being back here.”
“The wind was making the branches tap on my windows. I swear… I just felt…”
“It’s okay,” I murmur, kissing her forehead again. “You’re allowed to feel scared, River Blue. We’ll always catch you when you fall.”
Her fingers trail over my jaw, and she brings her lips to mine, pressing them softly there in an unhurried kiss.
I’ll hold her for infinity. Kiss her until the world burns to ashes. I’ll never let her go again.
“So, are you excited for Ly’s birthday party?” she asks, throwing me to my back with a sneaky grin.
Fuck. My heart pounds against my ribs when she stares at me like I’m the little prey beneath her, and she’s the tiger about to rip my throat out.
Her fingers curl around my biceps, holding me in place as she climbs on top of me and straddles my hips.
The second she’s settled, my hands descend on her, feeling every inch of her warmth.
“Our baby girl only turns five once. Five is a number important to all of us. We can’t rewrite the past, but we’re going make this five-year mark count.” My fingers curl in her hair, bringing her eager lips to mine.
