“Well, can we change that,” I said, leaning my forehead againsthers.
She nodded, before taking the few inches that separated our lips. Her lips were soft and warm as they met mine. I wasn’t going to push it any further, but I let my lips stay there until she pulled away. Her cheeks were red, but her eyes were lit withhappiness.
I couldn’t help but press my lips to hers again a few more times because Kaleb whistled at us, making her blushmore.
Most of the night went like that, each of us asking questions everyone had to answer to some extent. Dawn didn’t really ask anything personal, but she answered a few here and there that she could. She hadn’t watched much TV or movies, so she didn’t know what toanswer.
By the time midnight rolled around, both girls were nearly passed out and there were two hungry babies. I sent them up to bed while Kaleb and I took care of kids. Lizzy was still small to be a month and a half old but was healthy. At least there were no delays in her growth, except she didn’t eat as much in one setting, and sometimes was hungry an hour afterward, while other times she could wait up to four hours toeat.
Once Lizzy and Lilly were both fed and changed, we made our way upstairs to put them in their beds. We had recently bought a playpen we’d set up in the spare room. We couldn’t help but laugh when we saw both girls passed out on the same bed. Of course we took pictures, because drunk nights were always something that had to bedocumented.
Turning the light off after I grabbed the bassinet and I wheeled it into the spare room, we decided we’d just sleep together, as we’d done it before with no issues. Plus, we’d be woken up by the little ones soonenough.
“Think the girls would be mad if we woke them up early in the mornin’?” Kaleb asked as he laid on thebed.
“Kelly would,” I laughed quietly so I didn’t wake the sleepingbabies.
“You’re right. She’d have my balls, and more,” Kaleb yawned. “Now, nocuddlin’.”
“You’re the one who likes to steal the covers,” I joked, remembering how we would always fight overthem.
“Whatever,” he mumbledsleepily.
* * *
Dawn
That next morning, I woke up with the sun shining brightly through the crack in the curtains. It seemed to be brighter than normal, so I squinted against it as I slowly made my way out of bed, leaving it empty. I padded towards the bathroom, hoping a shower would help clear the fog that covered my sleepybrain.
My lips tingled, thinking about that kiss. I hadn’t willingly kissed anyone before. Elijah’s lips were soft and warm. I didn’t expect them to be so . . . perfect. I was used to hard, demanding lips tainted by drugs orcigarettes.
It was so much better than the little peck weeks ago, before Morgan showed up, and before I had to come to the conclusion that I had a reason to live, to get better, and try to be someone Elijah andLizzy could possiblydeserve.
I was falling for Elijah—hard. I’m not sure when it happened, but my heart beat for him. It could have been watching him with Lizzy, being there for me when I needed him the most, or everything alltogether.
Last night was fun, and I learned a few things I didn’t know about everyone, myselfincluded.
When I got downstairs, things didn’t seem so bright. The smell of pancakes and bacon was in the air, making my stomach growl. I had started eating more, which made Elijah more than happy. Reaching the kitchen, I saw Kelly sitting with her head in her hands, while Kaleb laughed ather.
“Good mornin’,” Elijah said, giving me a hug once I reached him at the counter, where he was finishing off the last batch of pancakes. “Sleepgood?”
“Hmmhm,” I answered, not wanting to part from him. I craved his warmth and never wanted to leave if I didn’t haveto.
“Good,” Elijah said with a smile. “How ‘bout you go sit down? I’ll bring the food over.” I was hoping he’d kiss me again, afraid to take charge and do itmyself.
Knowing he wouldn’t let me help, I took a seat at the table. Lilly was in the high chair, looking around, while Lizzy was in the swing, fast asleep. She had grown and was an absolute joy. Joslyn loved to spoil her, and she had so many things already, I didn’t think she’d ever want foranything.
Last week, Elijah had taken me to a clothing store to pick out some I could choose myself. I didn’t really want much, nor need anything, but to make him happy, I picked out a few nicer things. I was starting to find my clothing tighter as I gainedweight.
Last time I looked in the mirror, I could see my green eyes were brighter, and my face wasn’t as thin. My ribs were no longer black and blue. It took them the longest to heal. I was happy I was looking better, knowing that it pleasedElijah.
“Since you’re both finally up among the living,” Kaleb began as we all started to eat, “the trial start date, for at least Galvin and a few others, will start January 27th. As of right now, they have enough evidence against them that Dawn won’t need to testify. Her statement, along with her signed affidavit, is more than enough. Plus, a few of his guys gave out more information, thinking they could get lesstime.”
“I thought mafia families were tight and didn’t rat anyone of their own out,” Kelly said betweenbites.
“Yes, they usually don’t. It’s clear as day that this mafia team is not as tight as the bigger ones. Galvin won’t be seeing the light of day for a very long time,” Kaleb went on. “Most of his men will be in the sameposition.”
“What about Morgan?” I asked. He had yet to be found—same with my mother. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to call her my motheranymore.
