Page 144 of Until I Have You

“Yes!Hundreds more!”

I embrace her again.“You’ll have to count them up later.”

“I already did.I’m a good counter.”

“You are, Bon…” The shortening of her name chokes me up.“I missed you.So much.”

She looks away, bashfulness overcoming her initial greeting.“I missed you too.”

I take her hands in mine.“I’m sorry I left so suddenly.”

“It’s okay…”

“No, it’s not.I won’t ever leave like that again, okay?From now on, you’re always going to know where I am.You’ll always get to say goodbye.”

Her eyes crinkle.“Why are you talking about goodbye when we just said hello?”

I grin.“You’re right.No use focusing on goodbye right now.”

Theo approaches Bonnie from behind.He’s wiping tears from his cheek, trying to swallow up his emotions.My kindhearted man.

I understand him so much better now, the desire to protect his daughter from hurts he had caused her.But I’ve repeated the promise over and over I will never, ever leave Bonnie again.

Now, it’s time for me to put my promises in action.

“How was your flight?”I ask Bonnie.

“Good!”

“Are you tired?“

“No!”

I laugh.“Then you’re ready for an adventure.Would you like to go see some puffins?”

Bonnie’s jaw drops.“What?”

“I’ll take that as a yes!”

I get to my feet, give her the balloons and her gifts, a good distraction so I can leap into Theo’s arms.We hold each other tight as we whisper, “I love you.”

No hiding it for the world.No hiding it for Bonnie.Because our love isn’t just for us.

Bonnie interrupts us, throwing her arms around our legs and pulling herself into our hug.

It’s for her too.

“Daddy said you two like each other.Like thekissingkind of like.”Bonnie tucks her chin on my side.“Is that true?”

“You meanlove?”I tickle her cheek, relishing her giggle.

“Yes!”she exclaims.

I place my hand on Theo’s back and rub it.“Yes, Daddy told you right.”

“Does that mean one day you’ll love me too?”She bounces on the balls of her feet.

“Oh, honey.”I run my hand through her hair.“I already do.”

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