Page 131 of Safe and Sound

“Then whys you scawed?”

Because I’m losing my mind over how I can potentially fuck you up mentally and possibly physically.“I just don’t want to mess anything up and make your mommy not trust me.”

“You’s doin’ okay so far.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

As we drove on, I found myself glancing at Piper. Sometimes I let my gaze fall on her for longer periods. Despite spending time with her last night, it still felt surreal that I was with my daughter. A child, who up until twenty-four hours ago, I had no idea even existed.

The more I looked at her, the more I saw myself and even Maeve in her. While Dario, Maeve’s son, was the spitting image of his father except for his dark auburn hair, her youngest son, Matteo, favored her more.

Pursing her lips, Piper asked, “Whys you looking at me like dat?”

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph this kid was too perceptive for her own good. “I was just thinking about how much you remind me of my sister.” Taking out my phone, I flipped to one from my childhood. Enlarging it on Maeve, I held it out to Piper. “That’s your Auntie Maeve.”

Her eyes bulged. “I’s her twin!”

I laughed. “Yeah, you are. She’s going to flip out when she meets you.”

“When can I meet her?”

“Today if you want.”

“Does her wive close?”

“Actually, she lives in New York with her husband and two sons, but I can take you on my plane to see her.”

Piper’s mouth gaped open. “You has a pwane?”

“I do.”

“Do you fwy it by youself?”

“No. I have a man who flies it for me.”

“Wow. I never been on a pwane.”

“Well, if it’s okay with Mommy, we can all take a trip to New York.”

Bouncing her in seat, she exclaimed, “A kitty and a pwane? What a big day!”

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. When we pulled up at the animal shelter, Piper unbuckled and got ready to hop out. “Whoa, wait a minute.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Just give Niall a minute to open the door.”

“Why can’t you?”

“Because I like for him to check the area before I get out.” When she giggled, I asked, “What’s so funny?”

“You’s a scawedy cat.”

Although I wanted to scowl at her summation of me, I laughed when I thought of how I looked through her eyes.

After Niall opened the door, I got out and then pulled Piper into my arms. “Put me down,” she instructed.

“You’re bossy like your mommy,” I mused, as I set her feet down on the pavement.

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