Page 66 of Someone You Deserve

Later that night as I go to bed, I realize Dick never responded, and I honestly think it’s better that way. Now, all I have to worry about is what Penn is going to say to me tomorrow night when he comes over.

Chapter ten

Astrid

“Was that my first birthday party?” Lilly asks me as I flip the page in the photo album, stroking the pages with my index fingers as the memories start blending together.

“Yup. As soon as you took one bite of your cake, you had to eat the entire thing, so you just buried your face in it.” Chocolate cake crumbs cover her face completely so the only color you see is the white of her eyes.

Lilly giggles as I kiss the top of her head.

“Gosh, I was a fat baby,” Bentley says from the other side of me.

“You were a chunk, that’s for sure. You loved to eat. But look at you now.” Pinching his ribs, I wait for him to start squirming and leap from the couch. My little boy isn’t so little anymore.

“Where’s Daddy in this picture?” Lilly asks, pointing to a photo of them opening Christmas presents. Lilly was two and Bentley was six.

“Your dad was in another part of the world at the time.”

Lilly nods as her lips fall solemnly. “Kind of like he is now?”

“No, baby. Your daddy is in heaven now, sweetie. He’s in the clouds watching over us.”

“I wish you could visit the clouds,” she says, her bottom lip sticking out.

“I know, sweetie. Me too.”

Although, right now, I’m not sure what Brandon would have to say to me, and that’s part of the turmoil I’m still facing in light of recent events. The doorbell rings, thankfully pulling me from my thoughts. “Bentley, can you answer that, please? It’s Willow.”

“Can I have kisses from Daddy?” Lilly asks, staring up at me. Normally I wouldn’t let her have chocolate this early in the day, but I can tell she needs the comfort right now. Looking at these pictures brings up a lot of emotions for all of us.

“Sure, baby. But just one.”

“Okay.”

“Hey, Lilly,” Willow says as she steps through the door and Bentley shuts it behind her.

“Hi, Willow!” Lilly takes a Hershey Kiss out of the vase and holds it out to Willow. “Want a kiss from Daddy?”

Willow glances at me and I nod slightly, encouraging her. “Sure, sweetie. Thank you.”

“Chocolate makes everything better.”

“You’re only seven and if you already know that, life will be a little bit easier for you.” Willow bops her nose playfully.

“Kids, Willow and I are gonna visit, okay? You wanna play in your rooms or outside?”

“Can I play video games now?” Bentley asks. He’s been grounded from them since his fight.

“Yeah, I guess. You’ve done everything I asked of you this week.”

“Yes!” He runs toward his room and Lilly follows him down the hall to hers. She’ll be content playing with her dolls for hours.

“You want some coffee?” I ask as Willow follows me into the kitchen.

“No, thanks. I had my quota for the morning. Besides, we have things to discuss and you need to stop stalling.”

“You just got here!” Reaching for the coffee pot, I top off my cup.

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