Page 136 of Shades of Loyalty
I exhale softly. This is big. I know we’re ready to go further—almost. And as much as I love Jennifer, I need to make sure her daughter is okay with this, too.
I want us to be a family. But I don’t want Mary to feel like she’s being left out. I want her to know she’s important to me.
“I want to marry your mother, sweetheart.”
For a moment, she just stares at me. Then her whole face lights up. She jumps off my lap faster than I can react, clapping her hands in excitement.
I can’t help but smile. She’s so sweet, really…
But then she freezes, as if something just hit her. Her little hands stop mid-clap, and she gasps.
“Is something wrong?” I ask her immediately.
Her big eyes meet mine. “Does that mean you’ll be my real daddy?”
I raise a brow, feigning offense. “I thought I’ve been your daddy already?”
She giggles, and soon, we’re both laughing as we continue playing with her toys. Spending time with her like this… It heals something in me.
It makes me wonder why her father ever left a girl like her. And especially, why he left a woman like Jennifer. I hate him for it.
At the same time, I’m grateful. Because if he hadn’t left them, I wouldn’t have them now.
So, whoever you are, wherever you are—fuck you for leaving these girls.
And yet, it’s your loss. They’re mine now.
And I’m going to treat them exactly the way they deserve. They deserve the world. And I’m going to give it to them. Anything they want, it’s theirs.
By the time Mary’s tucked into bed, she lets out a sleepy yawn. She must be exhausted. Today was exhausting for all of us.
Can’t expect anyone to take a funeral lightly.
“Don’t tell your mommy about this, okay? We want this to be a surprise.” I whisper.
She nods immediately, rubbing her tired eyes. I chuckle.
“Good night, sweetheart,” I murmur, tucking the blankets around her. “I’ll stay right by your side until your mommy gets back, okay? You’ll never be alone.”
She nods again but hesitates before speaking. Her voice is soft, unsure.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, my girl?”
“You will stay with Mommy and me, right? You won’t leave?”
The innocence in her voice breaks something in me. How can such a small girl be so perceptive of the world? It shatters my heart.
“Of course, I’m gonna stay. Forever. I promise.”
“Pinky promise?”
She holds her tiny finger up, waiting for me. I take her hand in mine, linking our fingers together.
“Yes, sweetheart. I pinky promise. I’m not leaving you. Never. I’ll always be right by your side.”
Her breathing evens out as she drifts into sleep, the soft sound the only noise in the room. I stay beside her on my bed, watching over her.
