I feel little tears prick at my eyes and Victor’s hand comes gently to the back of my head then, running down the length of my hair. He sends me a little nudge down our bond, letting me know that he makes that same promise to me. I send my faith back to him, the knowledge that I know that already –
I’m up first the next morning, but I decide to let Victor have a little more rest. I smile at him as I watch him sleep for a moment, wanting very much to reach out and rub my hand against the new stubble lining his jaw, but holding back. He’s been working so hard lately – he deserves this break as m
“I’m sure you will,” Bridgette replies, laughing as he takes both of her hands, spreading out her fingers and frowning. Then, Alvin looks up sharply and makes eye contact with Ian, clearly communicating mind-to-mind. “Hey,” Ian says, taking up Alvin’s questioning thought and looking between Rafe an
The day unfolds happily from there on out, with Bridgette and I spending most of the morning curled on the sofa, enjoying ourselves. The Betas come, of course, but we bribed Ian and Alvin with the offer of much candy to move Victor’s little command station into the kitchen, which they do with enthus
Victor comes to my side as we all listen to the reporter, taking my hand and squeezing it. I smile up at him, knowing that he, too, is relieved to see that they’re telling rather…well, rather a romantic story. This could have had a much more scandalous bent, marking Victor as a man who betrayed his
I lead Emma and Delia out to the front porch as Bridgette goes upstairs for a shower and Victor and Rafe begin to concentrate on their work today. As we settle into our chairs, I’m pleased to see Miss Georgia coming up the path. Good, I think, smiling and waving to her. Now the boys will be distrac
“First it was the life dad wanted,” Emma continues softly, “which I know you understand, Evelyn. And then, after that? It was…Joyce’s life. Joyce’s life, Joyce’s world, Joyce’s choices. I was…nobody. I feel like I completely lost myself, if I ever knew who I was to start with.” My sister hangs her
That night, Victor is quieter in bed than usual. I barely notice at first, exhausted as I am, but then, as I curl up next to him and open my book, I realize that he’s not dozing or looking at his phone but instead is simply staring at the ceiling. “Are you okay?” I ask, closing my book and turning