Page 119 of A Little Naughty

She tells him to shake, and instead of lifting his paw, he shakes his whole body. Vivienne puts both hands over her mouth and laughs like it’s the funniest thing in the world.

I walk inside slowly and help Raif dry the dishes.

“You okay?” He looks up at me, and I nod.

“She’s so happy.”

Adam drops off the air mattress, and they set it up on the floor in Nikki’s bedroom. It’s late when we say goodnight, and they climb the stairs together.

When I’ve finished washing my face and putting on my night clothes, I step into the dark living room once more, looking up at the light coming from under the door.

Soft noises drift down, and it sounds likeSpongeBob. I imagine Nikki’s showing her mom her favorite clips from her favorite show.

Raif is sitting up in bed when I return, but I go to my side and climb in, lying with my knees bent and my arms around my waist. He scoots in behind me, wrapping his arms over mine and holding me tightly to his chest.

Tears run down my nose onto the pillow, and as much as I want to be happy, it’s hard to let her go.

Warm lips press to the top of my shoulder, and his voice is kind. “Want to tell me about it?”

I thread my fingers with his, trying to find the words for how I feel. “I guess even when it’s good, nothing lasts. We can’t hold onto anything.”

He doesn’t answer, and I tuck my chin. For several minutes, we stay that way, quiet in the dark. His lips press to my shoulder again, and he finally speaks.

“It’s true,” he says. I’m not comforted, and after a little longer, he continues. “When my mom died, I got real mad about it, and I stayed mad for a long time.” He pauses, and I wait. “Then I started planting the flowers she liked. Mostly because I didn’t have anything else to do… And those flowers would die. They were beautiful for a week or two, and then they were gone, just like her.”

He pauses, and when I close my eyes, more tears fall.

“So I planted new ones,” he continues. “And when they would bloom, I’d remember my mom’s smile. I remembered how we shared those moments together, how she’d hold them to her nose and then to mine, and I’d savor that time. Like your time with Nikki. Our time as a family.” He kisses my shoulder again. “When I close my eyes, it’s there in my bones. It’s not lost, because I can time-travel back to it and have it again. But if nothing ever ends, nothing new can begin.”

I understand what he’s saying, but I’m pouty. “I don’t want something new.”

“I know it’s hard to think about now.” He threads his fingers in my hair. “I’m here. Keep holding onto me.”

I do until I fall asleep, and when I wake the next morning, I’m alone in the bed.

The sun is shining bright, and I hear voices in the kitchen. Hopping up, I pull on leggings and a sweatshirt and thick socks over my feet.

When I step into the kitchen, I see them sitting at the table. Vivienne has a cup of coffee, and Raif is standing by the stove making eggs.

“You’re up!” Nikki runs and hugs my waist, and the hole in my chest is a little less painful.

I manage to smile at Vivienne. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Yes.” She nods, her eyes warm as she watches her daughter. “I slept so much better than I have in so long.”

I get myself a cup of coffee, and Raif spoons scrambled eggs onto all our plates. Toast is on the table along with bacon. We share another meal, and when we’re done, Nikki wants to show her mom her school.

She grabs the leash for Porkchop, and Raif follows them to the door as my phone lights up with a text.

Britt

What the hell? She can’t just waltz in here and take Nikki back just like that!

She includes a red-faced, angry emoji.

Britt

Aiden says depending on the timeline, we could establish abandonment.

---