Page 115 of Hold Me Until Morning

I looked up at the man, so solid, so firm.

Impenetrable.

Immovable.

His gaze traveled to mine. “Mean it.”

My nod was shuddery, and his was succinct.

The promise sealed.

Then he leaned in and lightly tickled my daughter.

“Cody, you got me,” she squealed.

“Nah, Maddie, you got me.”

Emotion crushed down.

A tumble of possibility.

A landslide of worry.

A lifetime of regret.

“Now get some sleep, little one.” He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to her temple.

She gripped the tops of her covers, beaming up at him. “Okay, my very best Cody.”

Affection radiated from him, so distinct it filled the room.

I kissed her cheek and whispered, “Goodnight, Maddie. I love you so much.”

“I love you, Mommy.”

I remained floored as Cody pushed to standing.

Rising to his full, towering height.

Nothing but strength and fortitude.

He stretched out a hand.

I looked at it, divided, somehow knowing what it would mean if I accepted it.

But I did.

I let him enfold my hand in his, and he helped me to stand to my feet.

He watched me as he began to walk backward, leading me out.

I felt the ground shift, the earth canting to the side.

My heart no longer knew the safest way to beat.

I trudged through it like he wasn’t destroying my resolve, like I didn’t ache at the sight of him, like my belly wasn’t in knots and my spirit wasn’t in an uproar.

He eased all the way out the door, and I reached out to flick off Maddie’s light. It tossed darkness over the house and triggered the small nightlight out in the hall to flicker to life.

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