“Tell Ella her daddies love her.”
I nod. “I will. Love you.”
My eyelids spring open and I gasp as the entire world drops down on my chest. The crushing weight has me bolting upright, breaking into a million pieces.
Two sets of arms find their way around me. It’s not the same, and still I cling to the comfort. To the love.
It’s not the same.
It will never be the same, but I made a promise and I will do my best to fulfill it day by day. Even when the thought is unbearable. Even when all I want is to return to that dream and stay with my boys…
They’re right.
I have to keep going. I have to live for Ella.
Our daughter.
She needs all the love they can’t give her in person. It’s up to me to give her everything we were supposed to give her together.
“Lenny.”
“Easy, little one.”
I close my eyes and draw in a slow, shaky breath before answering, “I’m okay.” I’m not, but I think if I say it enough, I’ll begin to believe it and that has to be enough. “Where’s Ella?”
“Sleeping,” Veyn assures gently. “Hasn’t stirred once.”
I open my eyes to peer up at the two leaning over me.
A demon and a man.
The humor in that statement isn’t lost on me, but the echo chamber in my chest refuses to let me laugh.
Instead, I touch their faces. Light brushes of my fingertips along the lines and curves of their cheeks.
They are not my boys, but they have somehow balmed the torn and jagged edges where my heart once lay. And I love them in a different way.
“Are you okay?” Marcus asks. “You were crying in your sleep.”
Fresh, hot tears skirt down my temples and vanish into my hairline, but I nod.
“Just a dream,” I murmur.
“Do you need something?” Veyn pipes in.
I shake my head. “Just stay with me.”
“Always,” Marcus says immediately.
“Not going anywhere,” Veyn adds.
“Talk to me,” I plead, the restless, jittery feeling to get up and pace worming through me. “Where are we? Who lives here?”
“Don’t know,” Veyn confesses. “I wasn’t concentrating when I opened a mirror. I only wanted you safe.”
“It’s someone’s summer house,” Marcus answers. “A cottage. It doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for a while. There’s dust on everything.”
“We’ll have to leave them a note apologizing for ruining their bed,” I say.
