Page 206 of His Sunshine Baby

To my surprise, he hands me a thick bundle of bills. Just by the number on the first one, I can tell it’s a lot! What is this? I glance at him, surprised. Why would the King give me money? Did he hear me talking to Nora?

“I don’t understand…”

“You’ll need it. Nora thinks of you as a sister… and you’re carrying my niece.”

I frown. How did he..?

“Sylviana, Liam, and I talked a lot when I woke up,” he explains.

He knows about my baby? Why would Sylviana tell him? I hesitate but take the money. If he knows, he probably already made up his mind about this.

“Thanks.”

I wonder what to add, but before I can, he’s already walking back into Nora’s room. I guess that’s it. I put the money in my jacket and leave the hospital.

Sylviana and Daniel are still waiting outside, and I mind-link Reagan so she can join me at the border. We walk there in silence, only Daniel sobbing softly.

When we finally reach it, I turn around and pull my best friend into a big hug.

“Be careful outside, okay? Don’t drink, don’t get sick. Sleep a lot, okay? And… if anything happens…”

“Don’t worry, Danny. I’ll keep my phone just in case. I’ll text you where I am when I can, okay? Please explain everything to your family. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer, but I won’t have the courage to leave if I don’t do it tonight.”

He nods but cries again. Oh, poor Danny. I take his hand.

“Daniel, you’re my best, best friend in the whole world. I love you, babe.”

“I love you too, babe,” he sobs.

“See you soon, okay?” I say with the bit of a smile I can gather.

“It’d better be soon. I want to see my goddaughter. She’ll be so pretty.”

“I’ll do my best. Take care, babe. Don’t fight too much with Bobo, and eat properly.”

He’s about to say something, but he’s crying too much to make any sense.

I hug him long and tight.

“See you, babe.”

“See ya.”

I part with him and start walking away.

Away from Daniel, away from my pack, away from Silver City. I’m crying hard and ugly. It’s so hard to go this way. Sylviana takes my hand, and Reagan is by my side too. It will be okay. I’ll be okay…

Part II

Chapter 27

I double-check the recipe from the book, but it should be okay. A couple more minutes, and then I can add the veggies. I turn around, dancing to the soft jazz music coming from the old radio. It’s sunny outside, just how I like it. I sit down to check my texts when I hear running steps. I told her a billion times not to run…

Suddenly, two small hands cover my eyes.

“Guess who!”

I smile immediately. I start patting the little hands as if I was wondering.

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