Page 82 of A Game Plan for Love

I would never worry about leaving Nora with him, because I know he would protect her with his life if needed.

“I don’t feel good, Decy,” Nora says miserably.

“I know, baby, but the power punch will help.” He lifts a red Gatorade to her lips and helps her take small sips.

She heaves again, and the red liquid flies into the bowl, and it takes everything I have not to puke myself, but he leaps into action and coaches her through the discomfort. Nora lets out a soft wail, and I take a step, but pause when Declan scoops her into his arms and holds her against his chest.

He paces around the room with her, whispering, and tears stream down my face as I watch them.

Two pieces of my heart.

I swipe away the tears and move into view. Declan smiles softly when he notices my presence, and Nora’s breathing slows as he paces the room.

“Sweetheart,” he says quietly, smoothing the matted hair away from Nora’s sticky forehead. “We have to change into our jammies.” She lets out a small mewl in protest, burrowing deeper into his chest, and he sighs. “Her room?”

I guide him to the back of the apartment and open the door to Nora’s room. I push the stuffed animals off her pink comforter and he lays her down on the bed.

“I’ll give you a minute to help her get into some clothes.”

He slips out of the room, and I untangle her limbs from her sweat drenched clothing and tug a large nightgown over her head. She barely moves as I change her, and use baby wipes to cool down her skin.

I rise on soft feet and move toward the door when her words stop me in my tracks.

“Daddy?” she thrashes in the sheets, arms flailing. “Decy!”

I’m rooted to the ground like a stone statue, fighting to pull in a breath, but Declan rushes into the room and crouches beside the bed. “I’m right here, Nora.”

“Don’t go,” she whispers, and he doesn’t. He slides into the bed beside her and holds her until she’s in a deep sleep.

After a while, he manages to untangle himself, and I follow him out of the room, stunned by Nora’s words.

It’s clear he didn’t hear her, but I did, and it confirmed something that frightens the shit out of me—she’s growing to love him and putting him in positions he’s not required to fill.

Her heart is massive, and she’s made space for Declan in a way I could never have expected.

I’m walking around in a daze, and a large palm grazes the slope of my spine. “Go to bed,” Declan whispers, placing a soft kiss on my temple, “I’ll pick up.”

I don’t have the words to refuse him, so I nod. “Are you going to stay?”

“Would you like me to stay?”

“Yes,” I respond.

Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever, I think.

CHAPTER 23

Everybody Needs Someone – Noah Cyrus, Vance Joy

Declan

“Decy,”asqueakyvoicewhispers. “Decy.”

Nora speaks a bit louder, doing her best to wake me while keeping a low voice. She knows no volume but max, so her whisper is the baseline speaking volume for others. She tugs at my arm, and I roll over to face her.

The blood has returned to her cheeks, and her smile is large as she shoves her face inches away from mine. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to pull away from her breath. She didn’t brush her teeth last night, and this morning I’m facing the consequences.

Her dark curls stick out at every angle, and one side is flat against her head.

---