Page 114 of Daniil
My finger hovers on the “buy now” button just as a text pops up that makes me gasp.
DANIIL: Good morning.Are you home?Could you let me in?I brought pastries.
What on earth?
Wait—he’s here?With breakfast?
I kick free of the covers, drop my phone, and run for the front door.
“Hey, sweetheart.”He’s leaning against the door jamb looking equal parts disheveled and gorgeous.
“Wh-what are you doing here?”I ask in a hushed whisper.Like someone might hear us.
“I brought breakfast.”He cocks his head.“Can I come in?”
“I…yes, of course.I have to go get the baby—he’s in my bed.”
“Can I get him?”
“Uh…sure.”I take the bag of what I assume is pastries as he brushes past me and heads for my room.
I put the bag down in the kitchen and turn on the coffeemaker on autopilot before following him.He’s on the bed, one of his big fingers gently stroking his son’s cheek.
Tears prick my eyelids.
Nothing could ever be more beautiful than the sight of my son and his father.Together.It was a complete accident, but Daniil and I made the most beautiful, perfect little angel in the whole world.Everyone probably says that, but I don’t care.
“Come join us, sweetheart.”Daniil holds out a hand to me and I’m drawn in.
“Daniil…” I blink back tears as I put my hand in his.“Why are you here?”
“Because I’m completely in love with you.”His beautiful blue eyes meet mine.“I missed you.Both of you.I don’t know how we’re going to make this work, but we have to.I know you’re worried about his safety, and I am too, but I can protect you better if I’m here.”
“Here?As in Vegas?”
“Vegas.New York.Hawaii.You pick a place, and we’ll live there.”
“I don’t understand—what changed?”
“Me.”He tugs me closer, so I’m pressed against his side.“Living without you isn’t living, Courtney.I’m just taking up space and air.There’s no purpose to my life.”
“Mine either,” I whisper, searching his face for answers.“But Micah…”
“Micah will be a happier, healthier little boy with both his motherandhis father raising him.If you want me to say he’s not mine, we can still do that.But I don’t want him to spend a single second wondering why his father didn’t want him.”
“You took the oath…”
“I know.But there are ways around it.I will always love and protect my family when I can.That doesn’t mean I have to live there and do it twenty-four-seven.I love you, Courtney.More than anything.More than my country, my heritage, my bloodline.Without you, none of that means anything.I can’t live without you.”He pauses.“I don’twantto live without you.”
“But—”
“I can’t promise you that nothing bad will ever happen again, but I can promise you I’ll do everything in my power to keep you and our family safe.Always.And whatever you need me to do to prove that to you, I will.”
There’s so much sincerity in his voice, it’s more than I can stand.I don’t want him to grovel.Not when he’s already bared his soul.
“Daniil.”I curl into his arms, snuggling into his warmth.
For the first time in a month, I feel whole again.Like a part of me was missing until this moment.
