Page 117 of Primal God

“For trusting me enough to tell me about our daughter.”

“I’m sorry it took so long.”

“None of that. We only look forward from here. Understand?” His voice is thick with emotion, making his accent more noticeable.

I nod. “I understand.”

“Good. Now, pack up anything you wish to take to the house.”

I look at him in confusion.

He says, “You and our daughter are moving in. Permanently.”

The door opens and Cecely and Harvey stand there, smiles on their faces.

Harvey says, “It just so happens that I have some extra boxes. I’ll go grab them.”

Cecely goes to my closet. “Let’s do this.”

The guys get to work, carrying Raquel’s furniture into the living room. I think I hear Dimitri saying a mover will come and pick everything up, which is a relief. It was terrible getting everything up the stairs the first time around.

My mind races as Cecely and I pack clothes into a box. This feels too good to be true. Like, how can Dimitri be okay with all of this? I glance out at Dimitri, who’s sitting on the bed, talking to our daughter. What’s going to happen when the excitement wears off and he realizes he’s still mad at me?

Cecely touches my arm. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened. That man out there is smitten with his daughter, and that’s only a fraction of what he feels for you.”

“Me?” I laugh. “How do you know that?”

“I saw the way he watched you when you walked in, friend. He loves you.”

My chest is tight. God, I wish it was true, but I just don’t see how this is going to work. I mean?—

“You’re doing it again.” She bumps her shoulder into mine. “Embrace it.”

“What?”

“Embrace the moment. You’ve lived in the past, with your sadness, for far too long.” She gestures to herself. “Harvey and I will be here if things don’t work out. But I have a feeling they just might.”

I wipe at my eyes with my good hand. “Thanks.”

“Now, let’s get the rest of this closet packed. I see some shoes I want.”

I’m laughing as we get back to work.

Cecely said I should embrace it.

So that’s what I’m going to do.

24

Dimitri

Lilith’s friend Harvey helps me carry a few boxes to the SUV. I’m glad we brought it instead of my car. I pause. Lilith and I are both going to need bigger vehicles for all the kids. The thought has me smiling as I set the box in the back of the SUV.

Harvey sets his box down, too, and then crosses his arms as he faces me.

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