Page 142 of The Assignment: Room 3

My mom comes into view, tears streaming down her face as she falls to her knees beside me. “Oh, darling. You’re okay. We’re okay.”

I catch Dalton wiping an errant tear from the corner of his eye. “You saw nothing. If you tell Flex, I’ll deny it.” I laugh. For the first time in weeks, I laugh.

Turning my attention back to Gracie, I check her over, kissing her cheeks so much she tries to push me off. “How are you, sweet pea?”

“I good. Where is Daddy?” It’s the first time I’ve heard her call Flex her daddy, and I can’t help the sob that escapes me. I pull her back into me, squeezing her tight.

“He’s still at the hospital, Gracie.”

“When is he coming home?”

“I’m not sure.” I don’t want to give her false hope.

“He’s going to come. We did a pinky promise.” Of course, he took the time to alleviate her fears before walking into the line of danger to save me. He always has her well-being at the forefront of his mind, even in the darkest of moments.”

“Then he is for sure coming home soon. He always keeps his promises.”

“Yay!”

“Let’s go sit down for a minute. I want to talk to Gan Gan.”

Dalton hangs back, giving me the space I need to explain everything to my mom. She must have been worried sick. I heard her at my bedside more than a few times, but it takes a village, and I know my friends from Venom really stepped up when we needed them. They all seem to know Gracie now and are completely smitten with her. Flex was right when he said I birthed the cutest human on the planet.

“I’m going to go and give you guys some space,” Dalton interjects.

“No, I’m coming.”

“Mommy, can you read my bedtime story? I miss your funny voices.”

“Listen to your daughter. Text me after bedtime, and I’ll come pick you up. Rest easy, knowing I’ll be sitting by our boy’s bed in the meantime.”

“Thank you, Dalton.”

“Are all the men you know a crazy level of handsome with good manners?” Dalton and I exchange an amused glance at my mom’s observation. If only she knew how strict these men really are. It’s all about good manners at Venom.

“Yes, Mom. It seems statistically impossible, but all of Flex’s friends are handsome as heck.”

“Any older men looking for a date?” my mom asks while Dalton is mid-sip of a bottle of water, which he sprays across the room.

Gracie thinks it’s hilarious and descends into a fit of giggles, taking the rest of us with her.

When Dalton leaves, I slip right back into mommy mode. Bathtime is fun, and Gracie splashes half of the tub on me by the time I’ve finished washing her hair. I braid it, find her favorite book, and tuck her in tight before I start reading.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

“Then, we’ll begin.” I don’t know why, but I always ask. It’s a ritual before starting a beautiful fairy tale.

“Mommy, does Fex not want to come home?”

“Why would you ask that? You made a pinky promise.”

A tear rolls down her face. “I worried because I called him Daddy, and then he was gone.”

My heart grinds to a halt before dropping into the pit of my stomach. She’s been worrying herself this whole time, and I wasn’t here to reassure her.

“Do you know what Flex told me the last time I saw him? Before he got sick.”

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