Page 114 of Forgotten Deeds

“He had a dangerous job,” Iris volunteers, and I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Ah, I see in the file he was a police officer. My condolences,” the judge says. “And what is it you do, Mr. Angelos?” he asks me.

“Personal trainer.”

“Good for you. Wouldn’t hurt me to hit the gym, with as much time as I spend sitting all day,” the judge comments.

“Sitting is a silent killer,” I agree, and I can feel Lily side-eye me.

“Iris, do you understand why we’re here today?” the judge asks her.

“Darius is going to be my dad,” she answers.

“And how do you feel about that?” the judge asks.

“It’s awesome!” she says animatedly, and the judge chuckles.

“And Mr. Angelos, you understand if I grant these proceedings, you will become the legal father, with all the rights and responsibilities as that of a biological father?”

“Yes, your honor,” I answer.

The judge reads over something from our file, and I hold my breath. “Counselor, do you have the Order of Adoption for me to sign?”

“Right here,” our lawyer holds up a paper and walks to the front, where a bailiff takes the document and passes it to the judge.

The judge signs it with a smile. “Congratulations, Angelos’ family. And congratulations to you, Iris Angelos.”

I pick Iris up and wrap my arms around her, squeezing tight. Leaning over, I give Lily a quick kiss, who’s dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

Kat snaps a few pictures of us before we step down from the podium, and we walk outside.

“It’s official: you’re an Angelos now,” I tell Iris with a huge grin.

“You’re my dad, right?” Iris asks.

“Right,” I tell her unequivocally, picking her up.

She smiles brightly, placing her tiny arms around me, and I soak in her sunshine. “Dad,” she tries out the word, and I nearly melt into a puddle. “I need another cat.”

Kat howls with laughter. “I love this kid.”

“Iris, one cat’s more than enough,” Lily starts.

“But Lucky needs a friend!” Iris makes her case; she’s gonna be a lawyer, mark my words.

“She has you as her best friend, and how lucky for her,” Lily smoothly replies.

“Listen to your mama, rainbow goddess.” But if one day another cat happens to show up at our house, who am I to interfere with the Fates?

* * *

“Come to bed,” Lily says, appearing in the doorway of the bonus room, dressed in my white T-shirt.

“Ε?σαι ?να ?ραμα,” I tell her, sitting down my phone as I devour her with my eyes. Not a stitch of makeup. Hair pulled back in a messy bun. Barefoot. She is a fucking vision. It’s beyond me how this woman fails to see how perfect she is, but I strive to tell her every chance I get.

“Thank you, Darius,” she says sweetly, her rosy nipples now visible beneath the fabric of my shirt.

“Such a good girl,” I say in a low tone I know makes her pussy drip. Stalking over to her, I squat down and lift my shirt, placing my nose against the crotch of her panties. Inhaling deeply; oh yeah, already dripping for me.

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