Page 59 of War Hope
My chest goestight and I hug Lydia tighter. "Thank you, baby girl."
She squeezes my neck hard. "I love you, daddy."
"And I love you."I kiss her cheek.
"Come on,shortie. Those presents won't open themselves," Hope says, tickling Lydia's sides. Lydia squeals, giggling as she flops off the sofa. Hope catches her and places her on her feet. Lydia runs to the tree, the lights illuminating her rosy cheeks. I swear, Hope is more excited about her opening the presents than Lydia is. She tears into a present, shredding the paper before she opens the top to a box.
"Look, Miss Hope,” she runs up to Hope clutching a stuffed animal that she shoves in Hope’s face, “I got a Unicorn," Lydia says, her eyes wide with excitement.
Hope gasps and grins. "Oh my goodness, what's he called?"
"It's a girl!" Lydia says, frowning at her.
"My bad.” Hope laughs. “What'sshecalled?"
"Princess Sparkle," she says before running back to her pile of presents.
Hope leans into my side. "I don't think there's any chance of that one being a Tom boy," she says. I look at her and my chest swells. Hope is crass and loud and has anunnaturalobsession with bingo, but I love the way she is with Lydia. I love everything about her crazy arse.
"Ilove you," I say, pressing my lips to her forehead.
"Aw,Finnley." She grins. "Don't make me blush. I'm ginger, it's not hot."
Ishake my head. "Of all the scandalous things you come out with..."
"Colby Keller?” she whispers and I shake my head. She grabs my chin, pulling my lips to hers. "I love you too," she says against my mouth. Her hands cup my face and she deepens the kiss, holding me to her.
"Babe, you really need to brush your teeth," I tease.
She swats at me. "Just for that, I'm not dressing or washing all day."
"Pyjamas all day?" Lydia asks, excited.
"Yep,shortie. You and me are having a pyjama Christmas."
"Poppy is coming over later," I remind her.
She snorts. "And?Her kid peed on me. She does not get to judge."Jesus Christ, I don't stand a hope in hell with these two, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
The End
(Bingo!)
