Page 191 of Unspoken Words
I relaxed again but had something else I wanted to say before taking a nap. “Connor?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you promise me something?”
“Of course. Anything, baby.”
“Promise me you’ll bring our daughter here every year.”
“I’ve already pencilled it in.”
“And teach her to be kind, not nice. Nice isn’t fierce. Nice won’t protect her or intimidate her enemies.”
“Got it. Kind not nice.”
“I’m serious. Nice is weak. Nice will get her heart broken and her lunch money stolen.”
“Who says she’s getting lunch money?”
I smiled. “Such a tightarse. I’ve already written in her diary that she can.”
“Hey! That’s cheating.”
“Just promise me you’ll teach her to be kind above all else. I want her to show empathy, to give more than take but to never be taken from, and if she is taken from—”
“Her big brother and her daddy will kick some serious arse.”
I laughed, and it made me cough a little too much.
Connor gently rubbed my back. “You all right? Need some water?”
“No, I’m fine.” I sucked in a breath and let it out, ignoring the constrictive pain. “I want her to know how to protect herself too. That’s important. A girl’s best friend is herself. She needs to know that.”
“She will.”
“And teach her to fish, and to change a tyre, and to read a good book.”
His warm lips caressed my cheek. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” I coughed. “Teach her to use her words and to use them wisely. Actually, fuck wise. Words aren’t always for the wise.” I leaned forward and kissed my little miracle on her perfect pouty lips. “Did you know that sword is an anagram of words?”
“No, but I do now.”
“Well, I don’t think that’s a coincidence, because wordsarea sword. They can stab, slice, protect and deflect. They’re our weapon. Please teach her to wield hers.”
“Okay, baby. I promise I’ll teach her all those things and more.”
“I know you will,” I said, my voice soft, my breath softer. My eyes grew heavy once more, so I cuddled Christina tighter and snuggled further into Connor’s chest.
“I don’t want you to leave me again,” he choked out, his voice a saddened plea.
“I never left you, Connor, and I never will. I’ll just lie low, in the clouds, until you’re ready to join me.” I breathed in and out, in and out. “Ever after, remember?”
He kissed my head. “Ever after.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Connor
