Page 44 of Monstrosity
Elfe subsides with a dramatic sigh and sticks her tongue out at her mom, but stays put, obviously enjoying the fun the kids are having.
I notice she's got her phone out, texting rapidly with a small smile on her face.
"Boyfriend?" I guess, settling onto one of the couches next to Meghan.
"Something like that," she says evasively. "Dad doesn't know yet, so..."
"Your secret's safe," I assure her.
The movie starts, and within minutes, the younger kids are entranced.
The older ones pretend to be too cool but still watch.
I find myself relaxing for the first time since Rio came home with blood on his neck earlier.
"So," Meghan says quietly, producing a flask from somewhere and adding something to her juice. "Real talk. How are you doing with all this?"
I consider the question seriously. "Honestly? Better than I expected. I mean, I'm terrified about the danger, but... being here, seeing how the club works together, it helps."
"The first time Tor came home bloody, I threw up," she admits. "Not my finest moment."
"When did it get easier?"
"When I realized he wasn't just some violent criminal. He's a protector. They all are. They do terrible things to terrible people to keep us safe." She takes a sip of her spiked juice. "Once you understand that, the blood becomes... not acceptable exactly, but understandable."
"Dasha?" Cali appears at my knee, rubbing her eyes. "I'm thirsty."
"There's juice right there, baby."
"I want water. From the kitchen. The cold kind."
I recognize a stalling tactic when I see one, but I indulge her anyway. "Okay, let's go get some cold water."
The kitchen is quieter, though I can hear the muffled sounds of the men's meeting from down the hall.
Cali climbs onto a stool while I get her water, adding ice because I know she likes to hear it clink.
"Are you and Daddy married now?" she asks suddenly.
I nearly drop the glass. "What makes you ask that?"
"Runa said when mommies and daddies live together and kiss, they're married." She sips her water thoughtfully. "And you live with us and kiss Daddy."
"Well..." I scramble for an age-appropriate answer. "Sometimes adults who love each other very much live together before they get married. Your daddy and I love each other and you girls very much, but we're not married yet."
"Yet?" She perks up. "So youwillget married?"
"Maybe someday," I answer her honestly. "Would you like that?"
"Yes!" She bounces on the stool. "Then you'd be our real mommy!"
"Oh, sweetheart." I crouch down to her level. "I don't need to be married to your daddy to love you like a real mommy. I already do."
She throws her little arms around my neck, nearly knocking me over. "I love you too, Dasha-mommy."
My eyes sting as I hold her tight.
When she pulls back, she's yawning widely.
