"Nothing's forever." I pull her against me, holding her tight. "But we have time. And we'll use it."
She's quiet for a moment, her head on my chest. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being honest. About the memories. About who you were." She looks up at me. "I know it's hard. Admitting those things. But I'm glad you did."
"Even if the truth is ugly?"
She touches my face. "I'd rather know what I'm dealing with."
"And now that you do?"
"Now I still choose you." She says it simply. Factually. "Whoever you were, whatever you did—you're trying to be someone different now. And that's what matters to me."
The words settle something in me. Ease the fear just a little.
"I don't deserve you."
She smiles slightly. "But you're stuck with me anyway."
I kiss her, pouring everything I can't say into it. Gratitude. Fear. Hope. When we break apart, she rests her forehead against mine.
"We should check on Elena," she says. "She was scared earlier when I panicked."
"Okay."
We go to Elena's room. She's playing quietly with her rabbit, but when she sees us, she runs over.
"Mama! Daddy! Are you okay?"
Daddy. She says it so naturally now.
I scoop her up. "We're fine. Mama just got a little scared, but everything's okay now."
"Promise?"
I look at Isabella over Elena's head. She nods.
"Promise," I tell my daughter.
It's a lie. I don't know if everything's okay. Don't know what's coming or how we'll survive it.
But for tonight, I can pretend.
For tonight, we can be a family.
And tomorrow, we'll face whatever comes next.
Chapter 24: Isabella
Lupo leaves for work at dawn like always, kissing me goodbye at the door, ruffling Elena's hair as she eats her breakfast.
"Be back by six," I tell him.
"Always am." He smiles, and for a moment, everything feels normal.
Then he's gone, and I'm alone with Elena.
