I meet my dad’s eyes, meaning every single word, hoping he knows just how much I appreciate him and what he’s done for me and especially for my girl. He stands perfectly still as she hugs him once more before stepping back and wrapping herself around me instead, the sweetest contented sigh passing her lips as she finds her home in my arms.
I lead her to the bed and have her sit before I climb in behind her. She settles against me, then grabs her whiteboard to communicate some more with my father. It's not that I intentionally tune them out, but having her right here with me, running my fingers through her damp, faded pastel strands has put me into this contented sort of trance.
They chat on and on, telling old stories and talking about whatever comes to their minds. I can only guess what they’re conversing about because, at times, her shoulders shake with silent laughter and occasionally shakes her head at something he says back to her. It wouldn’t surprise me if my dad is tearing down mybad boypersona by telling humbling stories from my childhood. I’m too blissed out to pay attention or care. IwantCollins to know all there is to know about me.
Collins’ hair has been detangled since we left the bathroom, but I can’t stop running my fingers through it. I have no idea how to style hair. I’ll have to have her teach me the ways of the fancy braids she pulls off, so I can help her while she heals. I can’t have Blair one-upping me.
Some time later, Dad stands from his seat at the foot of the bed and stretches his limbs. “I’m going to get out of your hairfor a little while. Jett had contacted me, wanting to talk about something, so I’ll be with him if either of you need anything.”
I’m still mindlessly playing with Collins’ hair when her head snaps up at that, and I internally groan. An elbow meets my chest, so maybe it wasn’t such an internal reaction.Oops.
“Did you say Jett?”she asks before turning to look at me, one eyebrow raised in question. “Like,myJett?”
“Okay, well first of all, he’s notyouranything,Stardust,” I huff, and she has the audacity to roll her eyes. If she wasn’t hurt and I wasn’t so fucking out of my mind with her being back in my arms, I’d bend her over my knee and spank her til that perfect ass of hers was reddened with my handprints. Show her exactly who belongs to her.
I tip her head back by her chin until she’s looking at me upside down so I can kiss her forehead before meeting her eyes.
“But yes,thatJett. He was worried about you.” As much as I would like to leave his annoying ass out of the narrative, I have to give credit where it’s due, even if he’s not here. “He was part of the team that helped to get you and Riley out of there.” I release her chin and look at my dad, his dark eyes watching me. “We did it together.”
Collins is quiet for a long moment, but when I lean around to see her expression, I’m on instant alert because her features are twisted in anguish with pools of tears gathering in her bright, jade eyes.
Her hand lifts to absently rub at the center of her chest, though careful to avoid the scabs forming beneath her shirt.
I wrap my arms around her and press my weight into her back at the same time Dad kneels at her bedside before the first tear has a chance to fall. “Collins,” I say, concern coating her name on my lips, “what’s wrong baby?”
“Are you in pain, Sunshine?” Dad’s question comes out at the same time as mine.
She hiccups and sobs, the sound like that of a mourning dove; it breaks my heart in two to feel the sadness rolling off of her in heavy waves.“It hurts,”she says absentmindedly, her eyes a little distant as they slowly drag to meet mine. Her brows draw in concern. “Is this what it feels like?”
“What do you mean?” I ask as softly as I can, swiping a tear away and ignoring the panic rising in me at her sudden mood shift.
She sucks in a choppy breath and shifts her gaze until it meets my dad’s. “To have a family.”
Rip my heart from my goddamned chest right now.
I bury my face in her hair as Dad rests his hand atop her knee, his thumb circling softly as an offer of comfort.
My girl.
Sweet Collins Adaire.
My Stardust.
Her entire life has been one battle after another. In mine and Asher’s absence, she was forced to look after herself with no one in her corner, never having a constant in her life. Time and time again people around her have failed her.
Especially me.
But I will fight for her.
Every fucking day, I will fight for Collins. I would readily lay down my life for her, and would do so a million times over if it meant erasing all those years of pain and suffering she spent alone.
Weallwould.
The fact that my girl is finding out now just how loved she is has my heart threatening to burst from my chest and fall at her feet in an offering.
“Fuck, baby, come here,” I shush and coo gently, holding her tighter. Collins cries quietly as she turns to wrap her arms around my neck and buries her face in the space in between.
She’ll be okay?Dad mouths, and I nod while stroking a gentle path along the life of her spine. He nods, and stands.
