Chapter 299 - Massimo

A week later

We all stood around in mission ops. Waited for Papa to finish the eulogy for Rafe. A conflicting mass of feelings swamped me, just as they had over the past seven days. I felt like I was still trying to just tread water, to keep my head above the surface of everything.

Eden and Amara were the only bright points in my life at the moment. Every single moment I was awake, I was with them. Holding them. Loving them. Cherishing them. They would know, beyond any shadow of doubt, that they were loved.

Amara squirmed in Eden's arms. Gave a pouty sigh. "Fi'shed?" She looked up at me with hope in her eyes. She made the sign in the air as she asked.

Eden kissed her nose. "Almost, Monkey. Almost."

Amara nodded. Stuffing her fingers in Eden's hair, she twirled them around a long lock of pure black. Laying her head on Eden's shoulder, she closed her eyes.

"And so we gather here today to pray for the peace and mercy of our Heavenly Father. Please accept Rafe into your grac