Page 67 of The Last Thing
WILSON
My little hellionlikes to snuggle.
We haven’t done anything sexual in a few days—her desire for that comes and goes, often in a short time span, and I happily respect it. Especially because when we aren’tdoinganything, we cuddle in my bed and watch TV together. Inevitably, she falls asleep before we finish what we’re watching, and I tuck her in and lie down beside her. Like there’s a magnetic pull between our bodies, she instantly rolls against me, snuggling up to me every time.
It’s yet another little thing that gives me hope.
I’m chipping away at the walls around her heart, and that’s a damn good thing because she’s completely infiltrated my heart. I’m done. Gone for her. There will never be anyone else who makes me feel alive the way she does, and I never want there to be.
I see a future with her. Now I need her to see it too. To not fear it.
She rustles in her sleep, then groans, and I sit up, immediately on alert. That’s a surefire sign she’s feeling nauseous.
She sits up suddenly and stumbles out of bed.
“Oh, shit.”
She hurries down the hall on shaky legs, then lets out a whimper before freezing as she pukes all over the floor.
She falls to her knees, crying, and I drop down beside her, rubbing her back.
“I’m sorry,” she sobs.
“You don’t have to apologize. It’s okay.”
She wipes her eyes, but more tears come.
“Hey…” I’m about to kiss her head, when a voice comes from behind us.
“What’s going on?”
I turn to look at Sophia, who is standing in the hallway, tiredly squinting at us.
“Why is Miss Hallie here?”
Thank God we’re fully clothed tonight. Well, Hallie is. She’s got on a tee and shorts. I’m only in sweats, but that’s typical.
I stand up and look at my daughter. “You know how Hallie said her stomach bothers her sometimes?”
“Yeah.” Soph still looks so tired, I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t remember this tomorrow.
“She wasn’t feeling well tonight, so I wanted her to stay so I’d be here if she needed someone to take care of her.” Not a lie. “She started feeling sick really suddenly and couldn’t quite make it to the bathroom.”
Hallie stands and wipes her eyes, trying to put on a calm exterior for Soph, though her eyes are still red and puffy.
“I’m sorry if I scared you or worried you.” She lets out a weak laugh. “I hate throwing up.”
“I do too.” Sophia yawns.
“Did you get any on you?” I ask Hallie.
She looks down and shakes her head.
“You two go lay down, and I’ll take care of it.”
Hallie’s eyes go wide. “But?—”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this.” I wish I could kiss her to drive the point home. “Go.”
