Page 140 of Free to Fall

Laura:

Liam, you don’t have to get me anything. <3

That’s it. She could be throwing them in a box or setting fire to them in her backyard for all I know, but I need for her to know she’s still part of our family.

And this family needs her.

“But she said I could. Anytime.”

“Bailey, that was before.”

“Daddy, that was her last text to me!”

I rear back as if I’ve been slapped. “Laura’s been texting you?”

Bailey pulls out her phone and thrusts it in my face.

Laura:

If we happen to see each other, Buttercup, I’d love a hug. I love and miss you too.

God, what I wouldn’t give to have her text that to me.

I crouch down and capture Bailey’s cheeks between my hands. “Bailey, you know what love is.”

“Yes. You love me. I love you.”

“And I love Laura,” I inform her softly.

Instead of being upset, she almost takes out a few pedestrians when her crutches become bird wings in her excitement. “Woo hoo! Now, can we go see her?”

“Baby, it’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because ...” Crap. How much do I tell her? The truth. “You know I said some not nice things after you and Laura were taken by the bad people. She was really hurt by it.”

“Is that why she won’t come over anymore?” Her lower lip quivers.

“Mainly,” I admit.

Bailey bursts into tears. Immediately, I pull her into my arms for a hug. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so, so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I definitely never meant to hurt Laura.”

“Then why did you say mean things?”

“Because I was scared.”

“But you’re not scared now.”

“No, but the thing is, now she is.” As I scan the busy street, my heart quickens at the sight of her—her aqua eyes meeting mine with a mix of surprise and guardedness before it they soften at the sight of who’s next to me. Laura says something to her cousins, Kalie and Grace, before standing and leaving the bustling taco bar.

She approaches us and opens her arms, keeping her promise. Just like she always did when she swore she loved me. Like I should have when I said the same.

I wish that greeting included room for me, but the second my daughter rushes into them, Laura’s arms close up tight. Keeping Bailey in, keeping me out. What’s the damn difference?

“Hey,” I manage, my voice betraying my longing.

Her whole demeanor softens as she holds the bundle in her arms even tighter. “What are you guys doing here?”

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