Page 109 of Moose

“I’m sorry you had to see me like this. It’s not who I want to be.”

I crawled in next to her and pulled her to my chest.

“Princess. That darkness is part of you. Don’t push it away, embrace it, baby. Let it be part of you, but keep it in control.”

She sighed and ran her fingers up and down my arm.

“It’s just so fucking hard.”

I kissed her forehead. “It is. But you just keep that darkness inside until you need it; like tonight. Goose is somebody who deals with that shit. Talk to him when we get back.”

Lily curled her body even closer against mine. “Will you still love me? Even with the darkness?”

“Always. I love every piece of you.”

She leaned up and softly kissed me. “I’m so lucky to have you, Moose.”

“I’m lucky to have you too, Lily. Let’s get some rest, baby.”

We both laid down and let sleep take over our bodies and heal us from the sins we had committed tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lily

TiaRosahadgottenup early to make us all breakfast. I was sitting at the small breakfast bar as she chatted away. Moose was outside with the kids playing in the yard, Javier right beside him.

It was quite the sight to see, but it brought so much joy to my heart. Javier and Moose got along so well, and Javier was great with Nova and Maddox.

Tia Rosa placed a plate in front of me and kissed me on top of the head.

“Mi princesa.Why do you look so sad?”

I smiled up at her. “Not sad. Just... well yeah, a little sad.”

We both laughed as she sat down next to me.

“Talk, baby.”

“I miss this. I miss you more than anything. I hated I had to just walk away. I even miss Javier a little. But I love Moose. I love those kids. And I love my life back in Montana.”

She sat and took a sip of her coffee. “So what’s the issue? You want to come home?”

I shook my head. “My home's in Montana. I just want to bring all this back with me.”

We laughed again, but I sighed and stared out the window.

“I just wish I could have the best of both worlds.”

“You can have both. They have airplanes, ya know.”

I turned and smiled at her. “You’re a smartass, Tia.”

She laughed and got up from the stool. “Always have been. We’ll keep in touch this time. Maybe I’ll come visit you for Christmas.”

“I would love that! This will be my first Christmas that I have people to celebrate with. Other than when I was here.”

I looked out the window and smiled at Moose and Javier playing with the kids. Moose, Nova, and Maddox were my home.

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