Finally, Lucky sat with Charlotte in the living room. “I love our family,” she said, “but I’m glad to finally get a breather. What a day.”
What a day, indeed. “How are you fee—”
Charlotte raised a hand, cutting off his words. “If I hear ‘How are you feeling?’ one more time, I’ll scream.”
Words. Lucky’d never been good with words. He needed them now. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough, you know.”
“Lucky, please don’t start. I’m not some selfless martyr like people are trying to make me out to be. I’m just a woman who loves her brother and was able to help him in a way few get to.” She gave him a tired smile.
“But it doesn’t bother you to hand her over to us?”
She met Lucky’s gaze. “No, it doesn’t. You and Bo are great parents. I see that with Alejandro.”
“But…”
“No ‘buts’, Lucky. I love that little girl, like I love Andro. I’m her aunt. In my mind, I’ve always been her aunt, not her mother. She’s yours and Bo’s.”
How did she do that? Then again, Yolanda didn’t even know them and gave them Alejandro. Not because she didn’t love her son, but because she wanted him to have a better life than what she felt she could provide. A life Bo and Lucky could give him.
He said the only thing that came to mind that she might not object to. “I love you, Char.”
“I love you too.” Her smile grew, taking on a mischievous air. “I can’t wait to see that little girl tie you around her pinky finger. Watch you learn to fix her hair for school, and deal with teenaged drama.” Her laugh came out bittersweet. “Just do me one favor.”
“Anything.”
“Be the best father you can be.”
Without a doubt. “I will.”
The silence between them was comfortable, words not needed. Cat Lucky deigned to come out of wherever he’d hidden from guests and crawled into Lucky’s lap. People in the next county likely heard his purring.
Moose rose from his place by the sliding glass door, wandered over by Charlotte’s chair, and flumped down.
Quiet. Lucky at home with his family. Immediate threat gone.
He’d enjoy peace while it lasted.
Twin cries echoed from the back of the house. Lucky rose to his feet.
Duty called.
