Page 85 of Renewal After Dark

Her heartbroken sobs at bedtime had gutted him. She’d held up well all day, but reality hit when it was time to close her eyes and rest.

Tiffany was so great with her, reminding her that her daddy would always love her no matter where he was and that so many other people loved her, too.

Blaine loved her.

He’d take a fucking bullet for her if it ever came to that, which he prayed it never did. But God, he loved her, and his heart was crushed by her grief.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried. Not even when his brother was missing during the storm, but his eyes ached from silently weeping through the storm of her sorrow. Ashleigh didn’t cry much either. She never had. Not as long as he’d known her, anyway, so that made it even harder to witness.

“I think she’s finally asleep,” Tiffany whispered.

“Are you okay, babe?”

“I’m broken inside for her.”

“I am, too.”

“I’d do anything to fix this for her.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

“I guess all we can do is love her through it.”

“And we will. We’ll love her so hard.”

Tiffany turned over and into his arms.

He held her as tightly as he could, feeling the heat of her tears on his chest and hating every one of them because they represented such deep hurt for herself and Ash.

“I’m so sorry, Tiff. I’d do anything to make this better for you both.”

“I know, and that helps. We’ll be okay.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah. What choice do we have but to go on and to help her remember him with love?”

“No choice, and that’s what we’ll do. Of course we will.”

“This is the most confusing and painful thing I’ve ever been through.” She lowered her voice even more. “How can I be so heartbroken over him of all people?”

“I know it seems strange, but you’re grieving for the man you once loved and the man who always loved Ashleigh.”

“Yeah, I guess. Thank you for understanding and for being there for us.”

“Where else would I be but wherever you are?”

“I feel so lucky to have you every day, but never more than I have this week.”

“I’m the lucky one, and I know it. I’m here for whatever you guys need for as long as you need it.” He kissed the top of her head and caressed her back. “Why don’t you try to sleep while she does?”

“Yeah, I should, but every time I close my eyes, my mind races. I keep picturing him in the water…”

“Don’t do that.”

“I’m trying not to.”

“Think of happier things, like Ash and Addie and names for our new little person. We need to think of something. Let’s focus on the joy as much as we can. It’ll help.”

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