Page 21 of When Love And Destiny Collide

"I'm sorry for your loss," I say, feeling an urge to hug her.

"Your mommy died?" Davey asks, his eyes wide with concern.

Lily nods, giving him a faint smile. "Yes, she did."

"My mommy didn't die," Davey says quietly. "She left me."

My eyes dart to Lily, and I wonder if I should intervene or let her address Davey's heartbreaking confession on her own.

"Your daddy told me she calls you almost every night," Lily says, looking at Davey.

"I get to see her on video chat," he says, his voice brightening.

"I don't get to talk to my mommy," Lily continues gently. "You're pretty lucky. You get to tell her you love her, and she tells you she loves you."

"She also tells me good night."

"That's wonderful, Davey. You're a lucky little boy. I can tell your mommy loves you very much."

"I love her too," he says, biting into a slice of bacon.

I watch Lily look away, dabbing the corner of one eye with her fingertip.

After breakfast, she asks Davey to pick a book to read together. He eagerly jets up the stairs, leaving us alone in the heavy, pregnant silence.

"Would it be alright if I take Davey to Cara's for a couple of hours this afternoon to swim with Ava?" she asks. "I promise to keep a very close eye on him. He’ll be safe, and you’ll have some quiet time to focus on your writing."

"Of course," I reply, grateful for her reassurance. "Davey is a good swimmer, but I'd appreciate it if you stayed close to him. He's still too young to swim completely unsupervised."

"I agree," she says, nodding in understanding.

When Davey reappears with a book, Lily suggests they take it outside to read. I lead them to the back porch, where sunlight filters through the trees, casting a golden glow over the garden. As they wander away, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves, I’m left behind, my heart quietly aching for the moment when we’ll be together again.

Nearly three hours later, the back door swings open, and their voices burst into the house like a lively melody. A smile tugs at my lips as I hurry to the kitchen.

"Are you two starving?" I ask, my tone light. "How about we grab some pizza in town?"

"Pizza sounds yummy!" Davey exclaims.

I turn to Lily, my gaze lingering on her beautiful face, silently hoping she'll say yes.

Her eyes drift away as she turns down my invitation. “I’ll see you when you get back. Then we can head over to Cara’s to visit Ava and maybe go for a swim. How does that sound, Davey?”

“Yeah!” Davey cheers, his excitement evident in his bright smile.

***

The rent check on the table marks the start of a new month. Lily's demeanor remains impeccably professional yet frustratingly distant, her detachment an ever-present backdrop to our days.

Meanwhile, Davey is thriving. His progress is remarkable as he eagerly anticipates starting school in the fall. His math and spelling skills have soared, and his dedication to swimming is evident in his perfectly bronze tan. To say I’m proud of his achievements would be an understatement—a testament to his hard work and Lily’s quiet dedication.

My family will be back from their Florida vacation this month. Jon and Sharon urged us to join them before they left, but I felt the pull to stay here and create a stable routine for Davey. The warmth and structure Lily has brought into our lives are giving him the stability he needs as he prepares for kindergarten. Every morning, her laughter fills the house, and I see the sparkle in Davey's eyes as he learns and grows.

"Where's Lily?" Davey asks, glancing at the clock as it strikes two. She was supposed to be home an hour ago. She said shewould be at the daycare, painting the walls, but promised to be back by one.

"She should be home any minute, Son," I reassure him, though I’m starting to feel a bit anxious myself.

When my phone rings, Davey dashes to grab it from the counter, his face lighting up. "Hello? Hi, Lily! Why aren't you home yet?"

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