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“I don’t know. I’m only ten. All I know is that in all the movies, it sounds pretty important.”
I can’t stop the chuckling now, and Elijah joins in.
“You make me laugh, kiddo. And that does feel pretty important. Now, let’s get you to bed, or I’m going to sell all your toys.”
“No!”
We wrestle up the stairs, and I tuck Elijah in once more. Restarting the stars to light up his room, I lean down and give him another hug.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
I stop short as I go to stand back up. “Sorry for what?”
“That Mom is mean to you. That you don’t have a best friend now.”
I smile softly. “I have a best friend. I have you. And I have John, from dinner the other night.”
“And Liv!”
Swallowing hard, I fight back the sting in my eyes. “And Liv.”
Elijah smiles big, and I ruffle his hair as I start to leave.
“Now go to sleep. You have school in the morning, and I have work. We’re going to be so tired.”
“Okay, okay. I love you.”
“I love you too, bud.”
I turn off his lamp, leaving the swirling stars as the only light, and close his door behind me as I leave.
I didn’t really have my mom’s support growing up, and my dad was…well. A long time ago, I swore I’d make a better life for my family, and now someone who was a part of that very unit is trying to destroy it.
When I go back down the stairs, I’ve reached a level of numbness that accompanies an understanding that I can’t control this. I can only do my part to keep protecting my son and do right by Olivia.
I can’t lose Elijah, and I really wish I could talk all this over with Liv. But short of having her here to be my sounding board, I just decide to let Elijah do the talking in front of the judge.
It’s the best plan I can come up with at this point, and even though it’s early, I think hitting the sack is a great fucking idea. Maybe everything will work out.
I mean, hell, there’s only so much they can do if the kid says he’d rather be with me.
Chapter 27
Olivia
Light from my blinds hits me straight in the eyes and wakes me from a dead sleep. I was too overwhelmed with everything last night, and I didn’t wear my sleep mask like I normally do.
In fact, I’m still in my clothes.
My stomach churns as I come back to consciousness, and it occurs to me that the fetus growing inside me and wreaking havoc on my hormones doesn’t give a shit if I’m stressed.
Nausea crawls up my spine, and I prepare for another spewing session. It doesn’t happen, though, and I’m just left with a gnawing sensation of almost puking.
“I can’t work like this.”
Memories of my conversation with Natasha rush to the front of my mind, and I remember that I’m not supposed to go back. She threatened everything Noah has if I do.
My hands shake as I reach for the phone. I think about calling him, but I can’t bring myself to hit the dial button, so I just send Noah a text.
