Page 49 of Pope's Penance

Lovelyn leans back to look up at me.“You’ll take care of her?”

“Of course, my little Love.”

“And if she needs us, you’ll have Aunt Kyrie to bring us back?”Legend asks in his most serious tone.

“Absolutely.”

“Okay,” they say in unison.

“I won’t let you all down.”I hold up a pinky to both of them, waiting patiently for them to curl theirs around mine.When they do, I tighten my pinky around theirs.“Pinky promises with me are always solid.Hear?”

“Heard, Daddy,” Lovelyn says.

“Heard, Dad,” Legend acknowledges.

“I love you both.”

“I love you,” they reply in unison again.

That’s creepy as hell or fucking adorable, I haven’t figured out which yet.Birdie and Valkyrie used to do that shit all the time in the past and it fucked with me then, too.

Valkyrie walks out with a bag over each shoulder and smiles softly at us.“Ready?”

The twins and I climb from the swing, and they wrap their arms around me for a tight hug before rushing over to their aunt.Now that they have reassurance that their mama is going to be okay with me, they’re excited to go with her.

“Here.Take your bags to my car.I’ll be there in just a second.”

“Should we go tell Mama bye?”Lovelyn asks, chewing on her lip.

I shake my head.“No.I’m worried she’ll fight you all over leaving.I promise to have her call if she needs to.Does that work?”

They both nod before taking their bags from Valkyrie and running to the car.

“You’ll be careful with her?”

“I’m going to push her, Val.”

“I know.I don’t like it, but I don’t know what else we can do.”

“She’s in there.We’ve both seen it.Frankie sent her running again.Even if she hates me, I won’t let her be stuck as this version of herself any longer.”

Valkyrie sighs, rubbing her arms.“Unfortunately, I don’t think my sister could ever hate you, Pope.Even when you break her.Call or text me to let me know how she is later.”

I lean against the porch railing and watch them pile into the car.The twins wave from the backseat, and I lift my hand in return and smile.It drops from my face once they clear the gate, though.

My beard is abrasive against my palms as I scrub my hands over my face, preparing myself to face Birdie.Is this a good idea?Fuck, if I know.Am I going to push her, anyway?Yes.

It’s either going to break the shell she’s encased herself in again, or it’s going to destroy her further.

I don’t think I can live with myself if it’s the latter.

With a sigh, I straighten my posture, pull my hair to the top of my head, and then roll it along my shoulders.

I feel as if I’m preparing for war again.

And I am.

A battle I plan on winning.

---