I watch Amber get settled before movement over at Lia’s chair catches my attention. She’s moving as if she’s about to stand on her own, but that isn’t happening. Not by a long shot. Walker’s halfway out of his chair, but I leap to my feet. I rushto Lia’s side just as she stands up, her legs stumbling out from beneath her.
“Woo,” Lia says breathlessly.
I hold my hand out to Walker before I swoop my other arm around her waist. “I gotcha. Take it slow. You still need rest.”
She leans into me without hesitation. “Hey. Sorry. Just need to pee.”
“I’ll help you to the bathroom,” I murmur.
“Is Lia okay?” Amber asks.
“Oh, yeah, princess,” I say as I help Lia away from the table. “She’s just very tired. She needs more sleep.”
“Well, she should get more sleep, then. Maybe on the couch? We could watch a movie!”
Lia gives her a thumbs up. “You pick the movie, kiddo. I’ll be right back.”
As I help her down the hallway, we get a rare, precious moment to ourselves. I decide to take her to my bathroom, just so we can walk a little farther and put a little bit of distance between her and the crowd.
“You okay?” I ask as I help her through the threshold of my bathroom.
She’s silent for a moment. “Is it weird that I’m considering Walker’s offer with the villa?”
I look down at her as I relinquish her toward the toilet. “Funny, I had that on my mind not too long ago.”
She snickers as she closes the door that separates the toilet from the rest of the bathroom. “I mean, I don’t know if I’m ready to start hiring moving trucks or anything. But it does have enough room for all of us.”
I back out of the bathroom to give her privacy. “You’re right about that.”
“My lease at the complex isn’t up for another three months. You think Walker can wait that long?”
I chuckle. “I think he’d buy you out of your lease if you let him.”
“Well, I want enough time to settle that renter’s insurance stuff that they still haven’t paid out yet. I don’t know what’s taking them so long, but I figure we can use some of that money to get Amber a new bedroom set in Walker’s place.”
I scrub my hand down my face
My god, this family is going to be so good for my little girl.
Thank you so much, Gloria.
Because now more than ever, I believe Gloria sent them to us. Walker, Knox, and Lia. She sent us a family so we didn’t have to be alone.
“Eli?” she asks.
The toilet flushing rushes me back into the bathroom. “Come on, let’s get you to the sink.”
She leans against me as I help her over to the countertop so she can wash her hands. “You think it’s a bad idea?”
I kiss her temple. “Absolutely not. You know Knox is going to want to comb that place from top to bottom, anyway, to make sure nothing needs to be fixed. Three months is more than enough time for everyone to adjust to the idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea, honestly,” Knox says as he appears in the bathroom doorway.
Walker scoots in behind him, standing there with his arms folded over his chest. “Though if you want me to buy you out of that shitty lease, all you have to do is say the word.”
I grin. “See?”
Lia wrinkles her nose. “Where did you two come from?”
