Page 108 of Forfeits

Aiden put the letter down and came over, wrapping me in his arms.

“Hey. It’s going to be all right. Whatever happens, you’ll both be okay.”

“You can’t know that.”

“Maybe. But what I do know is that I’m here for you and I’m here for Lucy, and we’re going to get through it. I promise.”

“I want to believe you.”

“Then do it. It’s an order.”

I sighed.

“And now you need to get into that bath and relax. I don’t have a teaching gig tomorrow, so we can get Lucy off to school then figure some of this stuff out.”

“Okay.”

“But please don’t worry about it tonight.”

“Okay.”

“I think Tamara’s right. I think Daniel is up there looking down on you and Lucy, and he’ll do what he can to help.”

I glanced at Aiden with a twinkle in my eye, starting to feel like myself again. “Do you think he’s watching us in the Bordello?”

Aiden threw back his head and laughed. “I mean, how could he not? I’m sure he’s enjoying himself.”

“I hope so.”

I was starting to think the late hour and emotionally draining evening was catching up to me.

“Now, into the bath…then to bed.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Sure, we can play it that way,” Aiden murmured, taking my hand and leading me into the bathroom.

* * * *

I couldn’t bear to wake Aiden when my alarm went off and he didn’t stir. So I went downstairs and got some coffee going and made breakfast for Lucy.

She was eating her scrambled eggs and bacon when Aiden wandered into the kitchen. Her eyes got huge, and she looked back and forth between us.

“Oh!” she said. “I mean. Wow. Did you sleep over?”

Aiden blushed. “Well…we got back late from our date, so…”

“Yes, Aiden slept over,” I said, “How do you feel about that?”

Aiden pulled out a chair and sat down at the breakfast table, winking at Lucy.

“How do I feel about it?” She shrugged. “I like Aiden, so it’s cool.” She looked at me with waggly eyes. “How do you feel about it?”

Now it was my turn to blush. “Well, obviously I’m okay with it,” I said, glancing at the handsome man at the table.

“Oh my God,” Lucy said, with a giggle. “You just went all schmoopy-eyed.”

“I did not go schmoopy-eyed,” I protested, giving her a look. “Robin said you beat him at Scrabble.”

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