He holds his silence for a long time, but then the fight bleeds from him on a loud exhale. “Thank you, menace,” he finally says. “Thank you for doing whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
“Always, stud. No limits.” I wrap him in a hug that fills me with warmth. It’s a comfort only he provides. “And don’t worry. I’ve got your back too.”
“Does that mean you’re sticking around permanently?”
A sudden shyness creeps in, burying my face in the crook of his neck. “If you’ll have me.”
But Byron doesn’t let me hide. His thumb and forefinger grasp my chin, tugging until our gazes meet. “I do without question, but I think we need to change your job description.”
Laughter sputters from my cheesy grin. “Are you about to fire me?”
“Think of it as more of an upgrade.”
“To what?”
“Mine,” he murmurs against my smile. “Pretty sure Ronnie has her own title picked out for you.”
My belly swoops and I almost giggle. Gosh, I’m turning into a sap. “It’s a deal.”
“And now,” Byron gives me a gentle kiss. “I’ll take you home.”
“And then the princess dropped her sword. There was no more pain or suffering. Her broad smile lifted to the sky in thanks of those who fought before her. She’d slayed the dragon and saved the prince. The kingdom was secured once again,” Frankie finishes reading and closes the book.
Ronnie sighs happily from under her mountain of blankets. My little girl gazes at her more-than-a-nanny with enough adoration to make my heart swell. The redhead gazes right back at her with equal affection, if not more. The bond they share is truly something to behold.
Which is why I’m standing in the hallway, watching them like a stalker. If they’re aware of me spying, I haven’t been called out. The dogs are quiet and sprawled on the floor. Tux is curled up onRonnie’s pillow, feeling right at home. His demonic green eyes narrow at me as if I’m the intruder. That little shit can fuck off. Those girls were mine first. I’m not going anywhere.
After finding Frankie at that warehouse earlier, I haven’t let her out of my sight. The fear of losing her sunk in its claws, spreading a poison capable of destroying me. My unresolved abandonment issues shook me to my core. But I fought against the darkness and won.
Doubt drifts away in the breeze from the overhead fan. Whatever Frankie did today was unfinished business like she said. We’re leaving it at that for now. I’m choosing to trust her. That hasn’t steered me wrong. All that’s left to do tonight is confess my feelings. By the sounds of things, that’s a popular choice this evening.
“Are you ready to be my mommy now? You’ve already taken my sadness away.” Ronnie’s voice is heavy from the pull of sleep.
Frankie sweeps hair off my daughter’s forehead before dropping a kiss there. “We need to talk to your dad about that.”
“He says it’s okay,” my little girl insists and I almost laugh.
The redhead hums thoughtfully. “When did he say that?”
“I dunno, but we’re gonna live happily ever after.”
“Just like that?”
Ronnie nods. “And ride off into the sunset. You gotta hold on tight. I don’t want you to fall off. Giddy-up, new mommy!”
A flicker of hesitation crosses Frankie’s expression and she glances at the framed picture on the nightstand. “Do you think your real mom would approve?”
“Uh-huh, I can have two. One is up in heaven and the other is down here. That’s you,” she whispers. “But both of you are in my heart.”
The redhead’s bottom lip begins to wobble. “It’s tough to argue with a perfect explanation.”
“More happy tears?”
“This”—she motions to her flushed face—“didn’t happen until I met you.”
Ronnie’s tired eyes blow wide open. “Wow, does that make me special?”
An agreeable noise comes from her. “The only exception, remember?”