Page 22 of The Sweetest Chirp

I look up to find Thatcher handing me a syringe with the right dosage. He just jumps in, not that I expected anything less from him. I look back at my daughter as she gazes up at Thatcher. Even through the haze of a lingering fever, she knows who is before her.

My chest goes tight, and I know I did the right thing, making sure she knew who he was as she grew. I showed her endless amounts of pictures and told her everything about him. The only thing I didn’t do was give her a chance to meet him.

A fact I’ll need to live with for the rest of my life.

She looks back at me, her brows pulled in tightly before she opens her mouth for me. After giving her the meds, I hand her a juice cup. I rub my knuckles along her cheek before I look up at Ruby. “I’m coming.”

“Great. We’re slammed for some reason on a Monday afternoon.”

I send her a small smile as she turns to leave. I look back at my daughter and sign,Do you know who this is?

Arwen looks up at him, and a little grin comes over her mouth.Is it really my daddy?

Thatcher lets out a pained grunt, and I know I can’t look at him. When her eyes shift to me, I nod.Yes.

She blinks a few times and then asks,Will he leave again?

Another pained grunt comes from him before he sits beside me, causing me to move over since I refuse to touch him again. Last time, I almost gave in to my need for him, and I have to keep my eyes on the prize here.

But then he signs effortlessly,I’ll never leave you again.

And I know I’m not only protecting my heart but Arwen’s too.

CHAPTER TEN

I’ll never leave you again,I tell my daughter.

Learning sign language was hard, and I swear the frustration was real, but being able to say those five words to Arwen makes all of it worth it.

Especially when her little face lights up.

I know what I said is a promise I’ll never break.

“Don’t promise her that.” I look over to find Audrina shaking her head before she meets my gaze. “Even if we were to come home, you’re a professional hockey player. You have to leave her.”

“That’s different. It’s my job,” I tell her. “I’ll never leave her again.”

“She doesn’t understand that.”

“Then I’ll quit,” I say simply, and I believe the words I say with total confidence. Audrina, on the other hand, gasps, her eyes going wide as I glance back down at my sweet girl. “I have to make up for the time I lost.” I chuck her under her chin, and Arwen beams at me.

“You aren’t quitting hockey,” Audrina mutters, rolling her eyes.

“And I’m never leaving my daughter again.”

Or you.But we all know she’s not ready to hear that.

As if she can hear the real meaning behind my words, Audrina swallows hard and shakes her head once more. She taps Arwen’s leg, and when she has her attention, she signs,I need to go help downstairs. Are you hungry?

Yes. Pancake, please.

How about you and Daddy come down and get some while I work?

“I’d rather stay up here so she’s comfortable. Her fever is still a little high,” I protest, and I know she knows I’m right. Just as I’m right about the damn ear wear. But I have a plan. She’s not going to like it, but I don’t give two shits. I’m done with this game. She can hate me all she wants, but my daughter will be cared for by the best.

Then I’ll work my magic on getting Audrina where I want her.

Only took twentysomething years and her playing a song on her phone, but I’m not scared anymore.

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