“Your little loophole,” she breathes.
“Which is the only reason I’m co-hosting your birthday party. How many other kids will be there?” Frankie cringes while waiting for the answer.
“I invited my whole class!” Ronnie giggles.
“It’s going to be the end of me,” the redhead groans.
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll protect you from the meanies!”
“Same, kiddo. Forever and always. Okay, time for bed.” Frankie slides a finger down Ronnie’s nose, swooping off the end and landing with a tap on her chin.
My daughter is quick to repeat the motions on her adopted mom. “Love you lots.”
“I love you more than my wildest dreams imagined.”
“What? How is that possible?”
“No clue, but you conquered the odds.”
“Do you love Daddy too?”
“Yeah,” she whispers softly. “I love your daddy very much.”
Ronnie’s squeal wakes the dogs who look at me to confirm or deny danger. It’s my heart that’s at risk of exploding. This conversation is the cure my broken soul didn’t realize it needed.
“He loves you bigger than the whole galaxy!” My daughter flings her arms wide, startling the cat.
Frankie drops her jaw. “That’s too big. Are you sure?”
“Positive. Go ask him!”
“I’ll think about it, but only if you fall asleep really fast.” After giving Ronnie a hug, Frankie stands and flicks off the lamp. “See you in the morning. It’s the start of whatever comes next.”
“Mhmm,” my little girl mumbles, already drifting off.
Frankie tiptoes from the room to where I’m waiting for her in the hallway. “Enjoy the show?”
“Immensely.” I hook one of her belt loops and tug until her chest is flush against mine. “You love me, menace?”
She bites her lip and nods. “But don’t get too excited. I have no idea how to love someone properly.”
“Not true. I just witnessed a very emotional display. Ronnie saw something in you from the start. It was your ability to form an inseparable connection and love her unconditionally when no one ever taught you how.” Which reminds me that we might be disturbing her. Without releasing Frankie, I shuffle us to the kitchen and lean against the counter.
The woman in my arms exhales the weight of needless worry, trusting me to support her. “She’s easy to fall for.”
I tighten my hold. “What about me?”
“Took a bit more persuading,” she quips. “But you get bonus points for raising a really great kid.”
“I’ve done the best I can. You’re going to help me finish the job.”
“That’s what it’s looking like,” she sighs and loops her arms around my neck, stretching to give me a soft kiss.
My gaze feasts on her, finding it almost hard to believe we’re here in this place. “History almost had me convinced that it was repeating itself, but you were coming back to me.”
She clucks her tongue. “Told you that you’re stuck with me, honey. You’d be wise to believe it.”
“Three of the people meant to love me the most have left. But now there’s you,” I rasp.