Page 59 of Secret Bratva Baby
“I not a bunny,” she argues.
“A dragon?” I ask, and she nods.
Lily tries to pull herself onto the bed, but it’s a little too high for her, and I don’t want to move away from Rose and wake her.
“What you doing?” Lily asks, her wide eyes watching me.
“Um…sleeping.”
“Did Mommy and you have a sleepover?”
“Uh—yes,” I nod.
“Are you best friends now?” She scrunches her nose, waiting for my answer.
“Um.” I can’t help but laugh at her innocent questions.
Rose stirs awake, and I pull my mouth tight, widening my eyes at Lily.
“You woke Mommy,” she whispers harshly, wagging her finger at me.
“Sorry,” I whisper back.
“What—how—Lily?” Rose gasps, sitting up in bed and looking bewildered.
Lily tries again to wiggle onto the bed, her little fingers gripping at the blankets like ropes. She grunts with effort. Rose leans forward and takes her hand, helping her up.
Lily squeals in triumph.
“I also want a sleepover.”
Rose glances at me, and I shrug. She grins.
“But the nighttime is over, sweetie. And you had a sleepover with Mila. Was it fun?”
“I feed a giraffe,” she shouts, standing up on the bed, walking with wobbly steps, and then flopping down between us.
Rose wraps her hands around Lily’s little waist and starts tickling her.
“Did the giraffe try to eat you? I think he should have.” She laughs while Lily squeals and kicks.
Rose lifts her into her arms and holds her close. Lily nuzzles her face against Rose’s cheek.
“I missed you, little one,” Rose whispers.
“I love you, Mommy,” Lily says, her voice muffled against Rose.
The exchange has me captivated as I watch them together.
They love each other so dearly. Lily adores her mother, trusts her, laughs with her—it’s such a special thing to witness, and I want this.
I want what they have.
I want both of them in my life.
With a swelling flood of emotion, I realize they are everything I’ve ever wanted.
I swallow hard, pushing the overwhelming surge away, trying to hide it from them. I chuckle and reach out to take Lily.
