Page 64 of Daniil
“What I’m feeling is happy,” I admit.“He’s a complicated man, and I have to be cautious, but he seems genuinely interested in me.And Micah, which is more important.”
“I think those things are equally important.You may not want to admit it, but you didn’t run because you didn’t like him—you ran because you liked him too much.”
“Probably.”
“So now fate or God or some other intangible thing has thrown you together again.Don’t you think it’s trying to tell you something?”
“Maybe, but I don’t want to overthink things,” I admit.“Once I do, I’ll fall down a rabbit hole I may not be able to come out of.That never ends well for me.And this time it’s too important to let my insecurities or anxiety fuck it up.So, I’m trying to go with the flow.At least until we figure out what we’re going to do.”
She cocks her head.“What does that mean?”
“We haven’t decided yet if he’s going to officially claim him as his son.His heir.The danger goes up exponentially if he does, and that’s the part that scares me.He and I could be in a relationship but still say that Micah is the result of someone in my past, whose father didn’t want anything to do with him.Or we might decide that Micah is better off without him in his life at all.”
“We both know that’s not true.”
“I really don’t want to think about this today,” I admit apologetically.“I love you, and we can talk about it another time, but today I just want to enjoy the sun, the water, and my little family.Such that it is.”
“Weareyour family, Court.I hope you know that.”
“I do.Thank you.”
I grab Micah and his diaper bag, Lennox takes each twin by the hand, and we follow the guys down the winding path to the beach.They’ve already got blankets, chairs, and umbrellas set up, along with a playpen for Micah.The twins immediately make a beeline for their father and Sandor hangs one off each arm, running for the water.
“Take Micah,” I tell Daniil.“I want to get some pictures of you and Sandor with the kids.”
“Okay.”He scoops up his son and makes his way into the water.
I follow more slowly, pausing to snap photos along the way at different angles.I hate that we have to leave today, wanting to stay in this perfect bubble of family for just a little while longer.Landon is the only family I’ve had for a long time, and while I love him, this is different.
The biggest difference, of course, is Daniil.I don’t know if we’re in boyfriend/girlfriend territory yet, but it feels like it.Sex, companionship, a child…we share more than a lot of couples I know.And I’m starting to really like it.I don’t want to lose it—or him—but I’m afraid that’s inevitable.
“Let me get some pictures of the three of you,” Lennox says, coming up beside me.She reaches for my phone, and I hand it to her before splashing into the water.I join Daniil, who’s bouncing Micah on his hip, letting him kick his little feet.
“You’re going to be a water baby like me, I guess,” I say to him.
“Turn around, you guys!”Lennox calls.
Daniil turns and puts his free arm around me, continuing to hold Micah with the other.Lennox seems to be snapping a bunch of pictures, both vertical and horizontal, and then Sandor jumps in with the twins.
A strange but comfortable feeling of contentment washes over me.
This could be my life.
Right now, itismy life.And I like it.
“You’ll have to send me these photos,” Daniil says to me once Lennox puts away the cameras and joins us in the water.
“Of course.”I move closer to him.“I wish we didn’t have to leave.It’s beautiful here.”
“Should I see if Sandor and Lennox want to stay another night?”
“Is that possible?”
He’s thoughtful.“Well, I’m supposed to be in Parliament tomorrow, but I think I can push it to Wednesday.I’m not sure what Sandor’s schedule is, though.”
“I just…” I pause, looking around.“This is magical to me.Peaceful, beautiful, with our family.The kids are happy…”
He reaches out to lift my chin.“Areyouhappy?”
