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My chest tightens.

Then I remember. Darlene running through the house with her ponytail high on top of her head while Arlene laughs beside me.

She looks ridiculous.

She likes it.

It looks like her hair is trying to escape.

Arlene bumps my shoulder. Maybe she prefers it that way.

I swallow. “Toward the Moon Goddess.”

Darlene nods. “Like before.”

“Okay.”

I take the ponytail down and start again. This time I gather it higher, securing it on top of her head.

Darlene studies herself in the mirror. I wait as she turns her head left, then right.

“Better?”

Her little fingers touch the ponytail. “Mommy would like it.”

My throat closes. “Yeah, baby.” I kiss her forehead. “She would.”

Damian is quieter than usual. I notice it while getting Arian dressed. He's already put his shoes on without being asked. He helped Darlene find hers, then went downstairs and brought Arian's diaper bag back up.

Now he's standing beside me holding Arian's tiny sock.

“I can do that.”

I look at him. “I know.”

He puts the sock on his little brother's foot. Arian immediately kicks it off.

Damian sighs and picks it up. For the first time today, the corner of my mouth almost moves.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah?”

“I want to train more.”

I pause while fastening Arian's clothes. “More than you already do?”

He nods.

“Why?”

Damian looks down at his brother. “So I can protect them.”

My chest tightens. “Protect who?”

“Darlene and Arian.”

I sit back. Damian keeps his eyes on the baby.