Page 233 of Hold Me Until Morning

“Seems right. I’m pretty proud of her, too.”

So proud.

My little girl was as smart as a whip. Funny and kind. The life-beat within these walls.

Satisfaction swam like we were suspended, floating on a tranquil breeze.

Quiet contentment.

A blanket of ease.

“I’m so happy,” Hailey finally whispered, so low I felt it inscribed on my skin rather than heard it with my ears.

I set my beer onto the porch beside me then splayed my hand over her protruding belly.

I felt my little boy kick.

Joy ricocheted back at the connection.

“So fucking happy,” I muttered low.

I dipped in for a slow, lust inducing kiss.

You know, since it turned out that kissing Hailey Cooper was my favorite thing to do.

I nuzzled my nose into her hair, breathed her in. We stayed like that for forever, me sipping at my beer and my girl in my arms. When the rain tapered off, Hailey stood and took my hand, and I followed her back into our cabin.

It was rustic, all exposed woods and rugged stone, a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. Large enough that we’d have plenty of space to fill the rooms but small enough that we’d never lose touch.

Humble enough that we’d never forget how we got here.

I followed her upstairs, and we hit the landing of the big loft that overlooked the great room below, and I started to follow her to the right toward our room before a little voice hollered from the opposite hall, “Daddy! I hear your big boots. You’re forgetting something important!”

Hailey gave me an affected smile, those blue eyes on me, her nails scratching through my beard. “I’ll be waiting for you,” she said.

I took that hand and brushed my lips over her knuckles before I turned course and headed to Maddie’s room.

A dim nightlight glowed from low on the wall, and I quietly moved over to her bedside and sat down on the edge.

My little Button beamed up at me.

“You think I forgot something important, huh?” I teased.

She almost looked contrite, though her blue eyes danced with mirth. “Well, you didn’t really forget since you already gave me a goodnight, but since I wasn’t asleep yet, you’re supposed to give me another.”

“Is that a new rule?”

“Goodnights are important, Daddy! It’s how we get good dreams.” She said it like I was clueless.

A rough chuckle skated out, though it rolled with affection.

“Well, you get all the goodnights, then,” I said, and I started poking at her belly, making her giggle as I tickled her and sang, “Goodnight, goodnight, sleep tight, never, ever let the bed bugs bite.”

She grappled for my fingers as she howled with laughter. “You got me!”

Everything slowed, the energy a quiet hum of intensity. I touched her cute little nose that she had all scrunched up. “No, Button, you got me.”

I swept in and pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she hunkered down beneath her covers with her Princess Verona tucked to her side. “I love you, Daddy.”

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