Page 66 of Bobby

Some days I feel like a king, self-assured and untouchable. But around Willow, talking about the girls, I worry I’m not doing enough.

It’s quick for them, I know that. Leone men are known for falling and acting quickly when they find the one they want. Most people in the famiglia are the same. Why wait when that could cost a life, maybe even your own? But Willow isn’t part of the famiglia—well, not yet. She might know some things, hinted at them, but I know she’s not connected in any way. I’ve looked into it. Well, Danny has. Full background on her—twice, from what I know—which he sent to me the day after he saw me in the elevator with her.

“It’s actually a good thing you didn’t come by last night. Ivy’s been up most of the night. Caught a bug at school, I think, or just too much fun lately.”

“Oh no. Is she okay?”

“She’s resting now. She’s on fluids, but she isn’t keeping much down.”

“I’ll call the doctor.” I reach for my phone, but she stops me from calling.

“We’ve been through it before. Most of the time, they won’t see a child unless it’s been twenty-four hours of not keeping liquids or food down, or if their temp goes over a certain number. Right now, she has a mild fever at best. I put in an order for Pedialyte and some kids’ aspirin to try and help.”

“That’s it?” That doesn’t seem right. Shouldn’t children be taken in immediately to make sure it’s not something else? They’re small. They can catch things far more dangerous than a stomach bug.

She shrugs. “Kind of. We just wait and see and hope it’s only a twenty-four-hour bug.”

“How are you so calm?” I’m freaking the fuck out. Outwardly, I’m holding it together, but just barely.

She smiles and leans against the doorframe. “Been through it enough times to know when to panic and call the ER and when not to. Trust me, she’ll be fine. If not, I can do the Teladoc option, and they can get us a prescription in a few hours if it gets worse.”

A few hours? That’s unacceptable.

“Can I see her? How’s Lily? What about you?”

“Lily’s fine. A bundle of energy, like usual. I could use more than twenty minutes of sleep, but I’ll survive. And Ivy is a couch potato who has full control of the TV remote. All in all, we’re good. But thank you for checking on us. I would invite you in, but I don’t want you to catch anything just in case it’s more than a small bug.”

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll catch it?”

“If Lily or I have it, we should be acting the same soon. Again, only time will tell.”

“Hmm.” I get what she’s saying, but… I just don’t agree with it. “I’d best stick around to make sure I’m here to help.” I step forward, and she retreats at my unexpected desire to come in.

“You don’t have to do that. I swear we’ll be fine. We’ve dealt with this before on our own.”

I stop both of us when I put my hand on her face and rub her cheek. “And now you don’t have to.”

And just like that, all the bravado drops, and I see the exhaustion she was hiding come out. She was being strong, like she had to be because it all fell on her.

But not anymore.

“Go get some sleep, Wildflower. I’ll take care of your girls.” I lean in and peck her forehead before walking around her and going into the living room.

“Mr. Bobby!” Lily jumps up from sitting on the floor with her colors and runs at me. I pick her up easily and revel in her strong arms wrapped around my neck for a hug.

“Hey, pretty ladies. How are you?” I ask both of them as I round the couch to see Ivy lying still with an empty bowl beside her.

“I’m sick,” Ivy says with more moans and groans than most men I’ve tortured. And she’s the only one I feel bad for.

“I heard.” I sit down on the other side of her, showing her I don’t mind as I let Lily go back to her drawing. “I told your mama that I’m going to hang out with you for a while so she can get some rest. Is that okay with you?”

Ivy nods, and Lily just smiles at me. I turn my head and see that Willow has shut the front door, but other than that, she’s still standing where I left her. “Go on. I’ve got this.”

Her eyes mist a bit, but with a nod, she walks to her room and shuts the door.

I lean back into the couch, and Ivy moves to lean against me. I rest my arm around her as Lily comes to show me a picture she’s coloring.

I might not know how to do everything, but I learned from my dad that showing up counts more than a lot of other things. And from the way all my girls are acting, I made the right call to stay.