I haven’t plucked up the courage to look at Josiah yet. The girls have my full attention.
“He is your real daddy, sweetheart. I am your real mommy, and this is your real daddy.”
Kelsey nods.
Kira jumps up, leaping into the air. She shouts, “I knew it!”
Then she bolts towards Josiah and slams into him at full speed. He laughs with the deepest, kindest laughter as he wraps his arms around her.
Kelsey stands too and walks over to them. She stands next to Josiah, nervous and unsure.
He scoops her into his arms as well and hugs her close.
He speaks quietly to them and I listen.
“I know this is big news. And it might be confusing, and that’s totally normal. It’s big and exciting for me, too. I also understand that you will have a lot of questions for me, and I want you to ask anything, okay? Even if you only think of the question tomorrow or next week, you just come find me and you ask.”
Kelsey leans back a little and stares into his eyes. “Where were you?”
Josiah clenches his jaw. “I wasn’t where I was supposed to be—with you guys. It wasn’t nice that I was gone, but I need you to understand that from now on, I am always goingto be there for you.Always. One day, when you're older, you'll understand why I was gone before, but the big thing you need to know now is that I am here. And I will always be here. Okay?”
Kelsey nods, satisfied.
Kira tilts her head to the side. “Are we going to still live with you?”
Josiah glances at me.
I don’t move.
He nods.
“Yes, you are going to live with me. I want you as close as possible, every single day. I have a lot of catching up to do to make up for all the days I missed before,” he smiles, pulling them into another hug.
My heart is melting. My soul is aching as I watch them.
A tear escapes and runs down my cheek, and I wipe it away in a hurry before anyone can see it.
Inside me is a deep need to shift closer to them and let him wrap his arms around me, too. I want to feel his warmth, to have him hold me.
But it’s ridiculous. Whatever has gotten into me…it’s probably just the champagne. I did the right thing by telling the girls and giving them a real chance to get to know their father.
But more than that…I’m just getting carried away by the moment. That’s all.
Chapter 15 - Josiah
Kayla is standing next to me in the most exquisite royal blue dress. It glitters when she moves, and it's so tightly fitted against her perfect little body that I can almost imagine she’s wearing nothing at all.
I slip my arm tighter around her waist and pull her closer.
The event is packed full of allies and rivals.
Kayla wanted to invite her friend tonight, but I talked her out of it. It’s not only because I wanted her to myself, but also because I thought it was better to keep Izabel separate from this side of Kayla’s life.
My brother and sister have just arrived.
Isaak waves across the room. Alara smiles, looking beautiful in a black velvet dress.
They make their way towards us.
