Page 212 of Pucking Strong

Her eyes blink open. “What is it?”

He smiles, smoothing her blankets. “You get to take the walking boot off.”

She sits up, the book flopping to the side. “Really?”

“Yep, you’re all healed,” I say, propping my head on my hand as I stretch out on my side. “Are you excited, honey?”

She nods fervently. “Now I can do ballet, and surfing, and ride horses on the beach!”

I laugh, sitting up. “Easy, Supergirl. One thing at a time, okay? First, you gotta prove how strong you are by finishing up your physical therapy. We’re gonna race Morbror in the swimming pool.”

“And school? I can go now?”

Henrik nods. “You start at the new school in January.”

She settles back against her pillows. After a moment, her tired smile turns into a pout.

Henrik brushes her hair back. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll miss Mr. Torres.”

“I thought you didn’t like that he made you learn math,” I tease.

Her pout deepens. “He taught me about the bees. And how the sun makes food for flowers.”

Henrik considers for a moment. “What if we promise to have Mr. Torres over for dinner once a month? That way, he can learn all about your progress at your new school.”

She nods, her pout softening a little. “And Hanna.”

I step around to the head of the bed, placing a hand on Henrik’s shoulder. “What about Hanna, honey?”

She glances between us. “If I don’t have my casts anymore, will Hanna go too?”

I wince, catching Henrik’s eye.

He recovers smoothly, taking her book and exchanging it for Teddy the Bear. “I already spoke with Hanna, and for your birthday, we’re all going to Disney World together.”

Karro squeals with delight, squeezing her bear tight enough to pop him. “Princess makeovers!”

“Oh, girl, just you wait,” I say. “We’re gonna do everything. Every park, plus the water one. Fireworks, animal safaris, all the shows. And Hanna will ride every ride with you. Morbror and I will too.”

I don’t miss the way Henrik’s shoulders stiffen. Or the way Karro looks to him and stifles a giggle. “What?” I glance between them. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Henrik mutters, rising from the bed. At the same time, Karolina shouts, “Morbror is afraid of roller coasters!”

I slowly turn to face him, one brow raised. “Seriously?”

He crosses his arms, defiant in the face of my surprise. “They’re a safety hazard.”

I just shake my head. I did this to myself. I fell in love with a Capricorn and married him. This is my life now. There’s no one else to blame, and there’s definitely no turning back.

I’m standing at the sink shirtless, nearly done with my nighttime hair- and skincare routine, when Henrik steps into thebathroom. He leans against the open door with his arms crossed, looking divine in a low-slung pair of house pants and a fitted grey T-shirt. “All good?” I say, adjusting the elastic band of my head scarf on my forehead. “She still asleep?”

He nods. “Yeah, she’s out like a light.”

“Good.” I rub the last remnants of my loc oil into my palms, warming them with the friction. “How do you feel?”

He raises a brow. “About the custody decision?”

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