Page 238 of His Sunshine Baby

I’m trying hard here, but I know I’ll have to respect her decision, whatever it is. I’m just hoping that now that she’s here, she’ll agree to stay. I want her and Estelle here, I really do. Not only do I not know how I could spend one more night without her near, but I’m terrified at the idea that she’ll put up more barriers and our relationship won’t be rekindled. But I have hope. Lots of it; I can see in her eyes she’s hesitating. Nora’s pregnant, and her pack kicked her out. I know I shouldn’t be happy about it, but I know that makes my place the most suitable home for the two of them. Moreover, we are a family. Estelle’s our daughter, and she likes it here. She’s waving at us from the couch, singing along to some Disney song.

Since she’s taking a while to answer, I decide to give her the time to think; at least she won’t make a rash decision and leave now.

“You can think about it until tonight, Elena. I know it’s complicated for you to forgive me, but I’m not going to change my mind about anything I said. So, whether you leave or youstay, it’s up to you. But I do want you here, and Estelle too, of course.”

“Daddy!”

Our daughter comes running, getting tired of watching us through the window. She runs to me, all excited with her pink cheeks.

“Daddy, in the movie, they were eating spaghetti Bolognese! With big meatballs too! Can we eat that for lunch?”

Elena suddenly laughs, and I’m completely confused. She smiles at me between her tears.

“I was making Bolognese before we left the house.”

“You made Bolognese?” I can’t help but ask, a bit surprised.

“Mommy burnt it! With crunchy parts!”

I laugh, while her mother dies with embarrassment.

Chapter 30

“Daddy! Daddy, look!”

She runs to me, showing off her new drawing. This time, she used her new Disney stamps all over it, and a lot of blue glitter. I’m starting to regret buying her so much glitter. I feel like my black leather couch and white rug won’t stay neutral for long.

“It’s pretty, baby star. My daughter is an artist! Do you want to sell your drawings when you’re a big girl? Or you can be an architect, and draw buildings and houses?”

“No, I want to bake cakes! I want to make cupcakes with lots of sparkles. I’ll have one shop for pink cakes, one for blue cakes, and one with… um… orange cakes!”

“Woah, orange cupcakes? Alright, my daughter will be a pâtissière, then.”

She nods, all proud of herself, and climbs on my lap, trying to peek at what I’m doing.

“Daddy, are you busy?” she asks, frowning at the numbers on my screen.

“Just catching up on some work. I’ll finish later when you’re in bed, okay? Are you hungry?”

“Um. No, I’m okay!”

I smile. We had crepes again for breakfast, and I think my daughter is slowly getting addicted to my cuisine. We discuss herdrawing a bit longer, and I close my laptop. Isaac’s emails can wait, I guess. To my surprise, someone knocks on the door, and Estelle runs toward it, curious.

It’s her mom, who was waiting there for me to open the door.

“You can just come in next time, Elena. The passcode hasn’t changed. Are you okay?”

She doesn’t look okay. Her eyes are red, and I realize she was probably crying. I know she went to bury her mentor with Daniel and his brother this morning. She warned me last night, after she left to spend the evening with Nora, and I didn’t see her since; I only know she came back here to sleep in one of my guest rooms, but she left early for the funeral this morning… I can’t imagine how tough it must have been for her.

She nods, ignoring me to look for Estelle with her eyes. To my surprise, she gets on her knees, taking her hand gently and talking to her very seriously while I close the door behind them.

“Baby star, Mommy needs to tell you something.”

“Are you okay, Mommy? You look sad,” says Estelle, worried.

“Yes, baby, I’m very sad. Because Reagan left.”

Estelle looks a bit confused for a second, glancing at me before looking at her mom again.

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