Page 12 of Like You Love Me

“And you are just as good. Have confidence. You got this.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” Sierra left the chair and kissed him on the cheek.

The microwave chimed, and Bianca swung around as she said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be there after school.” By the time she removed her plate from the microwave, Sierra had dashed up to her room to finish getting ready for school. Bianca poured a cup of coffee and settled into the seat beside her husband.

“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.

Bianca looked up from her plate and gave him a soft smile. “I feel pretty good considering…” she allowed the sentence to trail off. There was no need to complete it.

London draped an arm over her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes as he said, “I hope my big arms help you to feel safe.”

She smiled up at him. “They let me know that you’ve got me.”

“Always.” Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers. His mouth was warm and comforting, just like those large arms of his last night when she was tossing and turning with another nightmare. It was always at that moment of impact when she cried out and jerked upright in bed. London cradled her in his arms and rocked her soothingly back to sleep. Two weeks. Her doctor said it was expected. She just wondered how much longer before life would return to normal.

Bianca brought a hand up to caress his cheek. London had always worn a goatee, but he decided to grow a beard in the last year. It was thick, close-cropped, and felt smooth along his jaw. The look added masculine distinction to his devilishly handsome face.

“Sierra is excited about auditioning,” London said and removed the weight of his arm so she could eat her breakfast. “I hope she lands a big role.”

“She’s watched the movie three times this week. I am sure she’s going to nail her audition.” Bianca managed between chews. “I wonder where she got the talent from?” The moment the words were from her mouth, she regretted them.

“I think she’s got it from her over-the-top, dramatic mother,” London replied without a hitch. He dragged a finger down the center of Bianca’s forehead to her nose and tapped lightly.

“I’m not over the top!” she screeched.

He chuckled. “Oh yes, you are. I heard the stories. The way you would fall out if you didn’t get your way or how you used to play your brothers against each other. And let’s not forget the way you still bat your eyelashes to get your father’s attention. Oh, there is no doubt where Sierra gets the theatrics.”

Bianca laughed and replayed moments in her life that were indeed dramatic. “You just wait and see how she works her theatrics on you,” she warned, pointing her fork at him.

London shook his head and released a soft chuckle. “Yeah, she already has me wrapped around her fingers.”

Bianca took a sip of coffee. “Yes, she does, and she isn’t even a teenager yet.”

He frowned. “Lord forbids. Ari is giving your brother hell.”

Her niece was now a teenager wanting lipstick and even liked boys. Jabarie was getting gray hairs just trying to keep up with the beautiful teenager.

London groaned. “I’m not ready for that.” He reached for his coffee mug and gazed at Bianca over the rim as he took a sip. “I wonder if I’ve done a good job as a father.”

“Baby,” she began and placed her hand over his. “What would make you think that you haven’t?”

He looked at her with brown eyes that held glints of gold. As he studied her, she saw the worry. “I sometimes wonder if what we do is enough to keep her safe and help her to make smart decisions.”

“She does have a mind of her own.”

“Yes, and that’s what worries me.” There was that thoughtful look again. “Do you wish we’d had more children?”

“No… well, maybe sometimes.”

“So do I.” London glanced over his shoulder to double-check they were alone but still lowered his voice. “Even though biologically Sierra isn’t mine, it’s never mattered to me. She will always be my daughter. I hope you know that?”

She nodded, but at the mention of her birth, Bianca felt an uneasiness at the pit of her stomach. She lowered her gaze to her plate.

“Are you okay?”

She looked up at London again, wishing she had the courage to come right out and tell him about Collin. The confession was right there on the tip of her tongue, and yet she couldn’t get the words to come out. Mainly, because she knew that it would create tension once she did, and she just wasn’t ready for that. “I would like to give you a son.”Where the hell did that come from?

London swung her seat around to face him. “Are you serious?”

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