Page 92 of Off Limits Daddies
"But what about us?" Her voice is muffled against my chest. "What about our family?"
The word "family" breaks something inside me. "We'll still be family. I'll visit all the time. You can call me whenever you want. This isn't goodbye forever."
Ethan hasn't said anything, but tears stream silently down his face. Sophie launches herself at me, wrapping her small arms around my neck with desperate strength.
"Don't make us go," she begs. "Please, Noah. We'll be good. We promise."
I hold all three of them, my own eyes burning with unshed tears. "You are good. The best. But your mom needs you, and you need her."
The weekend arrives too quickly. Vanessa pulls up in a newer sedan, not the beat up car she'd been living in. I help load the kids' belongings, each item feeling like a piece of my heart being packed away.
Maya hugs me last, her grip fierce. "I love you, Noah."
"I love you too, kiddo." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "You're going to do great things. I know it."
I watch them drive away, Maya's face pressed against the back window, her hand raised in a small wave. My apartment feels cavernous and silent when I return. Their drawings still cover the refrigerator. Everywhere I look, I see signs of the kids.
I sink onto the couch and let myself feel the loss. It's different from losing my sister. Less devastating but still profound. These children weren't mine by blood, but they'd become mine by choice. And now they're gone.
My phone buzzes with a text from Mia.Can you come over?
I'm at her apartment within fifteen minutes. She opens the door with red-rimmed eyes and immediately falls into my arms. I hold her tight, feeling her body shake with silent sobs.
"What happened?" I ask, guiding her to the couch.
"My mom called." Her voice is thick with tears. "My dad suspects the truth about Jack. Mom thinks he's putting it together."
I pull her closer, my hand stroking her dark hair. "I know." I kiss the top of her head.
She pulls back slightly, wiping at her eyes. "I'm sorry. You didn't come here to deal with my breakdown."
"Hey." I cup her face in my hands. "That's exactly what I'm here for."
She manages a watery smile, then her eyes search mine. "How are you doing? With everything?"
I lean back against the couch, suddenly exhausted. "Vanessa came by today."
Mia stiffens. "What?"
"She picked up the kids."
"Noah..." Her hand finds mine, squeezing tight.
"She said she was ready. That she'd gotten her act together, found a stable job, a better apartment." I run my free hand through my hair.
Mia shifts closer, wrapping her arms around me. "You gave them stability when they needed it most. You gave them love. That matters, Noah. That will always matter."
I bury my face in her hair, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. "It doesn't feel like enough."
"It's everything." She pulls back to look at me, her eyes fierce despite the tears still clinging to her lashes. "You're everything."
The intensity in her gaze steals my breath. Before I can respond, she kisses me. It's soft at first, tentative, but when I respond, it deepens. Her hands slide up my chest, around my neck, pulling me closer.
"Mia," I murmur against her lips.
I stand, pulling her up with me. She takes my hand and leads me down the hallway to her bedroom.
She turns to face me, her hands trembling slightly as she reaches for the hem of my shirt. I help her pull it over my head, then cup her face, kissing her slowly, thoroughly. Her fingers trace the lines of my chest and shoulders.
