Page 80 of Retribution

She turns around to us, her face streaked with tears. She wraps an arm around each of our necks and brings us in for a huge group hug and we all tighten our hold on each other. My eyes begin to line with tears at the emotion she is pouring out.

“Thank you, so much,” she whispers.

She deserves everything, she is the sweetest and most humble nine-year-old I’ve ever met. I couldn’t wish for a better child.

“You’ve managed to keep mommy alive!” She cries, gesturing to the numerous swans all around the room.

We nod, both of us sniffling and proud.

“We hope you love it.” Reed gestures to the room.

“Are you kidding? You are the best daddy in the world!” She tackles him to the floor, showering him with kisses. I think hearing both of them laughing together is the single most harmonious sound I’ve ever heard.

“I think this calls for a celebration” Reed cheers.

***

We’re all seated on the living room floor, surrounded with cardboard boxes. Our half-eaten takeout sits on the rug before us as the fire crackles in the antique fireplace. We have the TV set up on the floor playing an old episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

Willow lays in my lap whilst I stroke her hair. Reed is keeping himself preoccupied as he focuses on some work on his laptop.

It’s dark outside now, the huge, curved windows grant our eyes access to the infinity of stars beyond us, the moonlight glowing.

It’s odd how at peace I feel, the calm that’s came with this house move is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. This step has felt monumental to all of our lives, a change that none of us wanted to make originally but needed to happen. It is like the beginning of normality for Reed and Willow, so they can truly begin to live as a family, and I am so thankful that I can be a part of it.

Reed closes his laptop and looks over at us and I notice how his eyes glisten under the moonlight. A lazy smile crosses his face as he looks at us in admiration.

“I just need to finish some work in the office, don’t bother waiting up for me I’ll probably be a while.” Reed states.

I nod whilst Willow sits up to look at him clearer.

“Don’t stay up too late daddy,” her voice is quiet and almost sad.

Guilt spreads over Reed’s face and he rubs a hand over his stubble. He lets out a small breath before turning away.

“Night girls.” He says coldly.

What the fuck?

“Willow? What did you mean?”

She wraps her arms around my neck and sits across my lap as she snuggles into my chest. I return the embrace and wait patiently.

“Before you were here, daddy used to stay up all night.”

“Oh, Lo. I’m sure you know sometimes your daddy has a lot of work to do, sometimes adults go to bed later so that they have chance to catch up on things.” I offer a reassuring smile.

She shakes her head and pulls away from me.

“Daddy doesn’t work in the office; he drinks that rotten stuff that mommy hated.”

I furrow my brows.

“I love him so much, but he can get upset or angry when he drinks it. He goes a little crazy and sometimes he can be too loud, which wakes me up.” She sighs.

I bite my lip, wondering how much of this she’s possibly seen.

The two weeks I’ve been living with Reed I haven’t seen that at all, he comes to bed with me every night usually. It didn’t really set alarm bells off in my head that he wants to work in the office, but maybe the fact that he asked me not to wait up for him, should have.

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