Page 98 of Vow To The Devil

They don't make it easy, though.

Olivia holds Hope first and cries so hard that Aunt Minnie has to take the baby from her.

"You made that!" Olivia tells Talia. "I can't believe what an angel she is!"

Then she proceeds to practically dissolve into a puddle of tears. Aunt Minnie has a very different reaction. She coos at Hope, bouncing her gently, beaming at her.

"I've been here for five minutes and she's already got me wrapped around her little finger," she laments.

Solana stands on her tiptoes, trying to get a good look at the bundle in Minnie's arms. "Can I see?"

"Here, come sit next to me," Talia says, patting the space on the bed beside her. Solana scrambles up eagerly.

Minnie hands the baby to Talia. Then Solana's eyes go wide as saucers when Talia places baby Hope in her small arms.

"Support her head just like that," Talia instructs gently.

Solana cradles Hope with care, utterly transfixed. "She's so tiny," she whispers.

Hope squirms and Solana looks up at me with alarm.

"It's okay, you're doing great," I assure her.

Solana relaxes and gazes back down at Hope. "I'm gonna be your best friend," she tells the baby seriously. "We can have tea parties and play dress up and I'll teach you everything I know."

Talia meets my eyes over Solana's head, both of us smiling at the promise. I reach out and squeeze Solana's shoulder.

"She's lucky to have you looking out for her," I say.

Solana grins up at me proudly. In this moment, with my daughter and her self-appointed guardian angel side by side, my fractured heart feels whole.

Talia's eyes start to droop as the activity and excitement of the day catch up with her. I gently take Hope from Solana's arms and settle her into the bassinet beside the bed.

"I think it's time we let Mommy get some rest," I say, lifting a protesting Solana off the bed.

She pouts but allows me to set her on her feet. I crouch down to her level.

"You were amazing today, sweetheart. But now it's time for the baby to sleep, and your mommy, too."

Solana sighs. "Okay. Can I come see Hope again tomorrow?"

"Of course," I promise, kissing the top of her head before standing. "I'll come get you first thing in the morning. Let's let them sleep now."

Solana gives Talia a quick hug, then skips out of the room. The others file out after her, clasping my shoulder and congratulating me again on the way out.

Then it's just Talia, Hope, and me.

I sit on the edge of Talia's bed and take her hand in mine. Her eyes are already drifting closed.

"Thank you," I say softly.

She forces her eyes open. "For what?"

"For our daughter. For being here. For... everything." My voice breaks with emotion.

Talia smiles drowsily up at me. "Come here," she murmurs.

I lean down and she pulls me into a kiss. It's soft and warm, filled with an innate sense of rightness.

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