Page 93 of Viktor

Delia saw the bandage on his arm and gasped. “You’re hurt!”

“It’s okay,malyshka. Remember I told you we wouldn’t let your daddy hurt you again?”

She nodded, her lower lip starting its signature wobble.

“Well, he’s in jail now. We took care of him, and he can’t hurt you anymore.”

“Good.” She stuck her lip out. “I don’t want him to be my daddy anymore. I wantyouto be my daddy.”

That was it. His emotions broke, and a tear slipped free. He hugged his kid to him so tight, he knew she’d have issues breathing in a minute, but to hear her tell him that…it knocked him on his ass. God, he loved her.

Sara’s heart stuttered hearing her daughter tell Viktor she wanted him to be her daddy.

“Why don’t we all go outside and give them some privacy?” Angel suggested, and she shot her a grateful look. Even Mason left, dragging his IV stand behind him. Once they were alone, she sat on the foot of the bed.

“Viktor, she needs to breathe.”

He reluctantly let her go, but not far. He kept her in his lap.

“Viktor wants us to come to New York with him. That’s where he lives,” she told her daughter.

“Do Mason and Mateo live there too?”

“Yes.”

“What about Nana and Pawpawl?”

“I’m going to ask them to come too. They can live with us if they want to.”

She thought about it. It was quite comical to see her twist her head this way and that way while she mulled it over.

“Your mom might need some time before she does that,malyshka.”

“But why?” She turned to look at Sara, clear confusion written all over her face. “Viktor loves us. We belong to him. We should be where he is.”

From the mouths of babes.

Leave it to her daughter to bring it all into perspective for her.

“I do, you know.” He reached for her hand, connecting all three of them together.

“What?”

“Love you. I think I started to fall the moment I met you, and once I stopped fighting, it became easy. You are so easy to love, Sara Jane. It didn’t take any effort for you to steal my heart. I know you think it’s too soon, and it’s okay if you need more time, but I do love you, and I want to spend every minute of the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you.”

“See, Mommy?” Delia patted his stomach. “He’s a keeper, and he loves us.”

“I do see, poppet. He really loves us.” Sara wiped at her eyes. She was going to get out of her own way. “Mommy loves him too, him and his bossy ways.”

“You do?” The surprise in his voice made her laugh.

“I was getting in my own way again out in the hallway. I let old fears try to shackle me, but then you went and chased all those memories away, Viktor Kincaid. You’re kind and gentle. You love with your whole heart, and you will do anything for those you love. I’ve seen it in the way you are with your brothers, with Delia, and with me. You make it hard not to love you. I’m scared, but I’m willing to give this a try, to let you be my forever guy.”

“Thank fuck,” he whispered, and Delia giggled.

“What does fuck mean?”

Viktor’s mouth formed a silent O. Sara raised a brow. “Go ahead and explain it to her.”

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