Page 66 of Hopeless Sacrifice
Her small hand tugs at mine while we make our way downstairs.
“That’s right, then the gorgeous princess let down her long hair and not one, but three glorious knights rescued her from the towering tower.” Dax’s overly enthusiastic voice carries through the dark living room.
He’s a great dad. Just like I knew he’d be. Kara thinks Dax helps me. He makes me a better father.
He does more than she’ll ever know though. He makes me a better person.
Just like she does.
“Didtheyreally rescueherthough if she had to help them up the tower?” Kara folds her arms across her chest and my brother smirks at her from over his shoulder. “She probably could have rescued herself.”
Ryder stands from the couch, stretching his arms high above his head.
“The princess definitely could have just rescued herself. But not everyone’s as self-reliant as you are, beautiful.” Ryder winks at her and she rolls her eyes at him.
Dax stands slowly and a small girl who looks so much like him is asleep in his arms. Dark hair fans across Celeste’s angelic face.
She’s so much sweeter when she’s asleep.
Kara presses her lips to Celeste’s forehead, pushing back the child’s unruly hair as she goes. The three of us trail behind Dax. Every small creak of the stairs makes my heart stop.
I just want sleep. Being a father is amazing. But no one tells you that you’ll never sleep again.
Like terrified ninjas, we take her to their bedroom. A dim light shines against the floor of the tiny room. A nightlight to keep away the monsters as Kara likes to say. I don’t know why. Kara would fucking destroy any monster that ever threatened their lives. She doesn’t take my shit, she’s certainly not going to give monsters a fighting chance.
Dax tucks Celeste into the bed that sits right next to her brother’s.
Celeste turns in her sleep until she’s facing Tomas, their small hands just inches apart.
I can’t help but feel my heart storm to life every time I look at them.
Kara leans her head back into my chest and I waste no time wrapping my arms around her. She calms me when I don’t even realize I need it.
Before we met, I never realized I was missing a beautiful train wreck like Zakara Storm.
Sometimes it seems surreal.
I don’t deserve any of it.
I never expected in all of my long and lonely existence to have beautiful children. Or a beautiful family.
Or a beautiful life.
The Hopeless End
