Page 10 of Blood Moon
Iwalked into Aria’s room, and she was already up and playing with the dollhouse that Braden had made for her. I smiled at her innocence, playing with toys and things that someone her age would naturally play with, but I knew that she was mentally functioning at an adolescent level.
“Did you even take your nap?” I asked, walking into the room by myself.
Aria never once looked back at me, but she knew I was the one standing in the door. Hell, she probably heard me walk up the steps to her room and ask everyone to let me have this time alone with her.
“Mommy, you shouldn’t be worried about me,” she said in that adult tone she’d developed practically overnight. “You shouldn’t be worried about daddy and all my uncles, either.”
I walked over a knelt by her side. “You know, I think you’re right.”
“I am right.” She finally left her toys in their perfect places and looked at me. “I heard Auntie Val is here for me.”
“So, you really didn’t take a nap?” I questioned with an arch of my brow.
“I felt sadness,” she said. “Auntie Val is here because I am hurting you.”
“My goodness, what in the world did you hear, Aria?” I said, pulling her into my arms. “You aren’t allowed to listen to adults talking. That’s rude.”
“I listened because I heard my name, mommy.”
I closed my eyes in defeat, wanting to keep her sheltered from all of this. The relationships I had with all of my guys, the arguing, all of it.
“Listen up, then.” I squeezed her, “Auntie Val is going to take you to New York City. You’ll love it more there than here.”
“Will I get to swim?”
“I’m sure Auntie Val will make sure your other home is polished with every luxury in the world, and that will make you andhervery comfortable and happy.” I kissed her soft cheek. “You know, I wonder if you’re actually part mermaid and not wolf?”
“Don’t be silly, mommy.” She giggled. “Mermaids like the ocean. I don’t like the ocean.”
“Part fish?”
“Mommy, stop it.”
“Either way,” I sighed. “You’re going to have lots of fun with Auntie Val. She’s getting a very nice teacher for you. You’re going to learn a lot while you’re away.”
“Will you learn a lot too?”
“Yeah,” I felt tears trying to destroy thestrong momfront I was holding up. “I’m going to learn how to survive with your daddy and your uncles without my sweet baby girl around to keep us entertained. I’ll miss you, but I’m very excited for you, Aria.”
“I’m excited for me too.”
“You feel happy about this?”
“I know it’s right.”
I studied her dark eyes that she’d inherited from her father, “How do you know that?”
“I feel it,” she stated factually. “You need to feel it too, mommy.”
“You’re right, once again.” I hugged her.
“Mommy, you’re choking me.” She shoved away with more strength than I’d ever felt in her.
“Ready to go and say goodbye to everyone?” I asked.
“I have to leave right now?” she questioned.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be able to stay until Auntie Val manages to secure a gorgeous place for you and her.”
