Page 61 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“Don’t want to.” I massage my temples, exasperation taking hold.
“I understand. I have to go to work today and guess what? I don't want to. I’d much rather stay home and hang out with you. But we have to be brave and do hard things sometimes, right?”
“But...” Rylin’s eyes are downcast, but I can still make out the sullen look on her face. “Tate at school says that Daddy doesn’t love me.” Her tone is matter-of-fact, and I can see the shock and concern written on Luca’s face. My heart squeezes in my chest, compelling me to rush into the room and hold her, but I tamp down the urge, listening intently.
“I’m sorry Ry. It was wrong of him to say that. But you know what?”
“What?” Her voice is so quiet, I barely catch it.
“You are so special. And…” Luca swallows thickly, his eyes momentarily finding me through the crack in the doorway before he speaks, “Ilove you.”
I gasp, tears gathering along my lashes as a rush of overwhelming emotions threatens to bring me to my knees.Love.He loves her and he said it out loud with such certainty. It’s not the simplicity of those words that rocks me to my core — it’s the jarring realization that he meant every single one.
Rylin just stares at Luca, letting the words hang between them before she launches herself into his arms. He doesn’t miss a beat, catching her and wrapping her in a tight embrace, his large palm splayed over her curls as he places a soft kiss against her forehead.
“I love you too, Luca.” Her voice is small but sure, as she buries her face in his shirt. When she lifts her head, there’s a softsmile there, and my heart swells. He did that. He didn’t have to, but he did it anyway.
Clutching tightly to his chest, she says, “Will you be here when I get back?”
“Of course,” he replies. “And maybe when you get back we can have a movie night, just you, me, and Mommy. How does that sound?”
Rylin’s bright blue eyes light up at the suggestion, a smile taking over her entire face. “The one with the talking dogs?”
“Sure. And we’ll even make popcorn.”
“Yay!” She claps her hands together, bouncing slightly on the edge of the bed, then hops down, gathering up her favorite blanket and her backpack.
“Hey Ry?”
“Hm?”
“I know it’s really hard to be around someone who doesn’t make you feel good, especially when they say mean things about someone you love. But I need you to remember something very important for me, okay?” Rylin nods her head, listening with rapt attention as Luca continues. “Nothing he says can change how amazing your mom is, or how much she loves you. You are both so special, Ry.”
“But why?” she asks, brow furrowed.
Luca watches me through the crack in the doorway, and a tender smile teases his lips before he starts to speak. “Because you’re kind and you have a way of making people smile, even when they’re having a bad day. And your mom —” Luca continues, his voice growing softer. “—she’s so strong. She never gives up, no matter what. She’s thoughtful and kind, just like you.” He smiles then, the rare one that crinkles his eyes. “When you and your mom are here, you make this house feel like home. It’s like a special kind of magic.”
A peace settles over me, and I quietly step away, heading back down the stairs. A mixture of hope and something else I can’t quite name blooms in my chest, knowing one thing for certain — Luca is carefully burrowing himself under my skin, and I’m completely helpless to stop it.
Luca
How anyone could make that amazing little girl think she’s not the most loveable human being on the planet is beyond me. As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I felt them in every fiber of my being. Come hell or high water, I will protect her with my life — both of them.
“Quit hogging the popcorn, Bug!” I reach out, attempting to grab a handful, but Rylin pulls it away at the last second, a mischievous grin on her face that crinkles her little nose.
“Now you’ve done it,” I warn. “Tickle fight!”
Rylin squeals, darting away from me with the popcorn bowl in hand, leaving a trail of kernels all the way to her mom’s spot on the oversized sectional. “Mommy, help!” she pleads, handing off the bowl of popcorn to her mom as I rise from my seat.
“Here comes the tickle monster,” I growl, darting after her down the hallway. Her little legs are fast, but not quite fast enough as I catch up with her in three strides, tossing her over my shoulder to the sound of her delighted giggles. Plopping her gently onto the sofa, I tickle her ribs as she squirms to get free. “Stop stop stop,” she begs through strangled laughs. “You win, daddy!”
I sit back on my haunches, the room going utterly still except for the animated talking poodle in the background. Ivy glances in my direction, a silent tear trailing down her face as Rylin’s expression turns bashful. The last thing I want is for her to feelembarrassed about her slip up. I would love nothing more than to have a daughter like Rylin, but we’re in dangerous waters as it is. It’s not safe for her to claim me as her dad; not while Austin is still a danger to them. A jolt of longing pierces the spot where my bruised heart still resides, barely beating, if only for them.
“Come here, Ry Ry.” I smile at her, opening my arms and gesturing for her to climb into my lap. Once she settles herself against me, I wrap my arms around her, placing a gentle kiss over her curls. “I love you, Bug.”
Just when I think the moment has passed, she whispers the most devastating words aloud for only me to hear. “I wish you were my daddy.”
My heart breaks for the little girl who deserves so much more than the hand she’s been dealt. “Me too, little one. But you know what? I’ll always be here for you, okay?”
