Page 45 of Tied to Hope
She had to remind herself that this wasn’t about them; this was about the child and what was best for Rytsar.
“How do you feel about the woman?” Sir asked.
“Lisichkahas always been a pleasure to scene with,” was the only answer he gave, letting them know he had no feelings for her.
Brie couldn’t imagine Rytsar having a child with a person he didn’t love—especially when he was such a passionate man.
She looked at him, full of compassion, fighting hard to keep back her tears, unable to speak.
Sir asked the question she wanted to know. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. I have to see the child for myself.”
Brie’s heart broke knowing that he was leaving them again—and this time there was a chance he truly might not come back.
Hope began crying in the other room. When Brie stood up to get her, Rytsar commanded gently, “Stay.”
The crying stopped as soon as Rytsar walked into the room. Brie soon heard the delightful sound of her giggles.
Brie put her hands to her chest when she realized that Hope was losing him, too.
Their little girl would never understand why herdyadyahad suddenly disappeared from her life.
As if Sir could read Brie’s mind, he put his arm around her and whispered, “We need to be strong for him and think beyond ourselves and this family.”
Brie looked at him, nodding sadly. “I know….”
Rytsar came out bouncing Hope in his arms. When she reached out to grab his nose, he took her grasping hand and kissed it. She was not deterred and grabbed his nose anyway, making him laugh.
“You are going to make a great father,” Brie told him, knowing it was true.
Rytsar looked her in the eye. “I hope so,radost moya.”
“You will,” Sir stated confidently.
“So is the child a boy or a girl?” Brie asked, realizing he hadn’t mentioned it.
Rytsar grinned proudly. “A boy.”
“Another Rytsar in the world!”
He replied with exaggerated sadness, “Poor child.”
Rytsar then raised Hope high in his arms, looking up at her lovingly as he spun her around. “Don’t you dare forget me while I’m gone,moye solntse.”
Brie’s breath caught and she had to look away to stop the tears from falling.
“Do you know what your future plans are?” Sir asked, putting his hand on Brie’s back to calm her.
Rytsar lowered his arms, cuddling Hope against his chest. “Not at this point,moy droog. First, I meet my son. Then…I go from there.”
“How strange it is going to be to meet your son for the first time at the age of two,” Brie said with empathy.
Rytsar growled. “Da.Lisichkahad no right to steal those years from me.”
“No, she didn’t,” Brie agreed, her heart aching for him.
“If there is anything I can do, brother…” Sir stated, looking at him in earnest concern.
