Page 142 of Paper Hearts

He helps her position her fingers on the lighter, presses down the button and the flame ignites. Her eyes light up with golden hues and I smile. He taught her something she’s never seen before.

He disappears and Eddie watches the flame flickering with fascination. “Why can’t we have lights on?”

“Because there’s no power.” I set her down on the floor as Ender comes into the room with two more candles. “We need to get dry clothes on you. You want to put your pajamas on?”

“Okay.” She nods, her eyes still on the candle flame.

I’ve been blessed with a kid who likes to sleep. Yes, I know how lucky I am, but when you have a baby at nineteen, it’s nice to have some kind of good luck on your side. Sleep was mine.

Ender disappears again down the hall and I help Eddie change.

She’s in her new Tinkerbell pajamas when Ender hands me a towel for her hair. “Did you want to change?” He motions down the hall. “I have some T-shirts that might work.” He runs his hand through his wet hair, and I notice he’s in dry clothes now too. “They’ll probably be a dress on you but it’s dry.”

I have clothes I can change into but wearing his sounds better to me. “Can you watch Eddie for a few minutes?”

He nods but doesn’t say anything as he stares down at her. She’s still focused on the candle flame Ender placed on an end table next to the couch. I wonder why she’s watching it so closely. Maybe as a distraction from the rain still heavy outside.

With no air-conditioning going in his apartment, the heat is almost suffocating. Ender walks over to the patio doors and opens it to let the breeze in.

Eddie’s eyes widen and she turns to face the patio, reaching for Ender’s hand. I give her a blanket and a teddy bear to him and push my wet hair behind my ears. “I’ll be right back.”

“Second door on the right is my room.” He sits down on the couch and Eddie immediately crawls into his lap.

I take a minute to watch their interaction. For so long I prayed for her to know him and now that she does, it feels like it’s a dream. As if I’m going to wake up and all this will be over.

Ender holds her close to his chest, his left hand cradling the back of her head as she relaxes, and though I can’t hear what he’s saying to her, it’s a whisper of reassurance that she’s safe with him.

Our eyes meet in the soft glow of the candles scattered around his apartment. He looks sad for some reason.

I pad down the hall and into his room. I can’t see much but there’s a king-sized bed, a dresser, nightstand, weights near the bed, and a lamp.

He’s laid out a shirt on his bed. I slip my dress off my shoulders and fold the wet fabric in my hands and then set it on the floor. I reach for the shirt, slide it over my shoulders and smile. It smells like fresh laundry and him.

Holding my wet dress in my hand, I take it with me back down the hall. The tile floor is warm against my feet, the wind howling outside a reminder we haven’t made it through the storm completely.

I hold my dress up. “Do you have a washer and dryer?”

He nods and points to another door on the left next to the bathroom. “In there. I can wash it for you tomorrow.”

He does laundry now? I guess, he’d have to, huh?

I lay my dress on the washing machine and return to the living room. Eddie’s asleep on Ender’s chest already.

Told you she’s an excellent sleeper.

I brush her hair from her face and she stirs but doesn’t wake up. “She falls asleep quick. Made having a newborn and going to college a lot easier.”

His brow furrows and his eyes hold mine. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

“You didn’t know,” I assure him. “Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

“I should though.”

I sit next to him. “You can’t move on if you’re constantly stuck in the past.” I’m not sure if those words are meant for him or me. Maybe both.

“I never thought I’d have this.”

I raise an eyebrow, watching Eddie. She’s so peaceful finally but still has that little hiccup to her breath she gets when she’s been worked up. “Have what?”

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