Page 76 of Finding Home
Chloe grabs the bowl and takes it over to her mom, Lila hot on her heels asking, “Can I help make pancakes, Chloe?”
“I’m sure we can make that happen,” Chloe says, running her hand over Lila’s head as she cheers. Hannah moves with them, leaving Grayson and I alone.
“They seem attached,” he muses, watching Chloe and Lila as they work together to pour the pancake batter.
“They are. They seem to find new ways to gang up on me, too, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Grayson studies me. I let him, not backing down from his stare or the way he sits up straighter in his chair as if trying to get an extra inch on me, which he already has an inch on me, but I’ve got the muscle.
“Do you love her?” he finally asks, and my lips pull up at the corners and I nod.
“I do.”
He leans forward, bracing himself on his thighs as he takes a deep breath before saying, “I know I haven’t been around a lot for Chloe. I’ve had my reasons and I’m working on that, but she will always be my little sister. I will always want what’s best for her. Take care of her. She will do anything for those she loves, so make sure you deserve that love.”
I nod, and he reaches out to shake my hand.
We spend the rest of the day eating and opening gifts before everyone decides it’s time for naps before dinner. Lila, my ever energetic little girl, stays up with Mickey downstairs while they watch a movie.
When I wake up, Chloe isn’t in bed with me anymore. I find her downstairs sitting on the floor at the coffee table in the sun room with Lila while they make bracelets. It was a gift Lila got from Hannah, and she was so excited to start making them.
When she spots me, she grabs one off the table and makes a beeline for me.
“Daddy, I made you this!” She holds out a white beaded bracelet, and I take it, slipping it on.
“It’s perfect, Peanut. Thank you.”
Chloe is smiling at us, and I decide to tease her. “Did you also make me one?”
She grins and holds out one with blue beads. “I did. Now you can wear one every day.”
I slide it on and lean over her, placing a quick kiss on her lips as she smiles up at me.
“Daddy, will you make bracelets with us?”
Chloe gives me a pouty look and says, “Please, Daddy?”
I take a seat beside Chloe, and Lila cheers as she passes me materials. I lean over and whisper to Chloe, “This is the second time you’ve toyed with me like that. Do we need to do some exploring when we get home?”
I’m not sure that’s my particular kink in reality, but I’m learning I’ll try anything at least once for Chloe. Her cheeks heat, and she bites her lip but shakes her head.
“I’m not yucking anyone’s yum, but I just say it to get a rise out of you. I call my own dad daddy. I’m not calling you that.”
I throw my head back and laugh. The way this girl knows exactly what to do and say to get to me shows just how well she knows me.
The three of us sit on the floor making bracelets until Hannah joins and we eventually move to the kitchen for dinner. While everyone socializes, I do more observing. This is the quintessential family I always wanted growing up and what I wanted for Lila. I never thought I could give it to her, but here we are. The thing is, you never know how fast things can change until you’re facing it head on.
FORTY-THREE
CHLOE
It’s two days after Christmas, Everett’s on shift, and Lila and I are in the middle of building a fort in the living room for our movie marathon when someone starts banging on the front door. I have no idea who would be showing up to Everett’s; he’s still pretty solitary and hasn’t exactly made a lot of friends in town.
“Coming,” I call, and tell Lila I’ll be right back. The banging keeps going, seeming to become louder and more urgent. I pull the door open only to be surprised by Brinley on the other side.
Brinley’s my best friend, and from the look on her face, I know she’s not here for a social visit. Something’s wrong.
“Who?” I ask, and she checks over my shoulder and my heart sinks. She’s making sure Lila can’t hear.
