Page 48 of Worth the Fall

She groans, but her smile never falters as she settles against me, her head resting on my chest. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as the world outside fades away.

We’re still tangled together on the floor, the blanket twisted around us as Mia rests her head on my chest. The quiet of the room is comforting, her soft breaths against my skin a rhythm I could get used to.

Just as I’m about to drift off myself, a small, shaky voice cuts through the silence.

"Daddy?"

I freeze for a second before pressing a kiss to Mia’s temple. She stirs slightly, her body still relaxed against mine. I try to slide out from under her without waking her, but her eyes flutter open, hazy and soft in the dim light.

"Miguel?" she murmurs, her voice heavy with sleep.

"Felicity," I whisper, brushing her hair back. "She’s calling me."

Mia starts to sit up, pulling the blanket around herself. "I should go?—"

"No," I say firmly but gently, cupping her cheek to stop her. "Stay."

She hesitates, her gaze searching mine, but I lean in and kiss her shoulder, soft and lingering. "I have to go take care of dad duty, but I’ll be right back."

Her lips curve into a small smile as she nods, settling back against the couch.

I slip out of the living room and head to Felicity’s room, her small voice calling again just as I push the door open. She’s sitting up in bed, clutching Princess Waddles tightly to her chest, her face streaked with tears.

"Daddy," she says, her voice trembling. "I had a bad dream."

I crouch beside her bed, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "What happened, princess?"

Her lower lip trembles as she squeezes her stuffed penguin. "We were at the zoo, and we lost Miss Mia. We couldn’t find her anywhere. And then she was gone forever."

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. I gather her into my arms, holding her close as she buries her face in my neck.

"Hey, hey, listen to me," I say softly, rocking her gently. "That’s never going to happen, okay? Miss Mia isn’t going anywhere."

She pulls back slightly, her wide, tear-filled eyes searching mine. "You promise?"

"I promise," I say, brushing her curls away from her face. "Miss Mia loves you, Felicity. Just like I do. You’re stuck with both of us, okay?"

A small smile breaks through her tears, and she nods, her arms wrapping around my neck.

I kiss her forehead, settling her back against her pillows and tucking the blanket around her. "Now, close those eyes and get some sleep, alright? Princess Waddles will keep you safe."

She giggles softly, her grip tightening on the stuffed penguin. Within moments, her breathing evens out, and she’s fast asleep again.

I stand there for a moment, watching her, the weight of her words still lingering in my chest. She’s already so attached to Mia—already sees her as part of our lives.

And so do I.

When I walk back into the living room, the sight that greets me makes my heart stop.

Mia is curled up on the couch, fast asleep, wearing one of my shirts that’s far too big for her. The soft fabric slips off one shoulder, and her hair spills over the throw pillow beneath her head.

She looks peaceful, her face relaxed in sleep, her breaths slow and even.

I smile, crossing the room quietly. Leaning down, I scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. She stirs slightly, her head nuzzling into the crook of my neck, but she doesn’t wake.

I carry her to my bedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm light over the space. Gently, I lay her down, tucking the blanket around her. She sighs, her body instinctively curling toward me as I climb in beside her.

Sliding an arm around her waist, I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. She murmurs something unintelligible, her hand brushing against my chest as she settles against me.

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