His chest rattles with a laugh. “You bet. I’ll be back in a flash.” He lands another kiss to both Lyla Nell and me before jetting out the door.
Everett scoots his chair closer to me, but I reach over and pull him onto the bed next to us instead.
“Our family just grew,” I say, looking down at our daughter’s button nose, feathered brows, and thick dark hair that’s already been styled and combed to the side by her proud Aunt Keelie.
“I always knew it would.” He seals his lips over mine a moment. “Lyla Nell is beautiful, Lemon.” His blue eyes caress my features. “I promise to protect both you and her forever, right along with Evie.”
“Thank you,” I say, snuggling in my strong husband’s arms just as my stomach growls like a lion on the prowl and we both give a little laugh.
Everett kisses my cheek. “Let’s put something in you before you wake the baby, Lemon.”
“Food sounds amazing. Say, I can go for a fried pickle. You don’t think they have any of those down in the cafeteria, do you?”
“It’s almost four in the morning. I doubt the cafeteria is open, but I bet they have an entire army of vending machines. I’ll run down and get us one of everything.” His lips curve my way as he drinks me in with his gaze. “Welcome to our first sleepless night. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. Happy birthday, girls.” He kisses the baby and me and takes off like a man on a carbohydrate-laden mission, and it’s just my sweet little sugar cookie and me.
A spray of miniature stars erupts to my left and I stand corrected. It’s just my sweet little sugar cookie, me, and one of my favorite friendly ghosts.
“Nell!” I practically cheer when I say her name. But those stars keep stirring, and next to her appears one of the most handsome, kindest men that I have ever loved.
“Daddy!” Joseph Lemon is the exact saint that found me that day at the fire department. And we have loved one another ever since. Joseph Lemon stands tall with heavy blue eyes, a slight dimple on his left cheek, and hair that looks a touch darker than I remember.
“Princess.” He steps over with pure joy glowing through his being, and he is glowing quite literally. “I guess you have a princess of your own now, don’t you? And I suppose that makes you a queen.” He bows down and blesses the both of us with an otherworldly kiss. “Congratulations, Lottie. She’s just as beautiful as her mother. And happy birthday to you both. Now my precious gift has a precious gift of her own.”
“Thank you,” I sob as I grab onto him by the arm. “Oh, Daddy, can’t you visit more often? I miss you so much. Just seeing you today of all days, I will never forget this as long as I live.”
“I’ll do my best to come around more often,” he says with a tone that only seems to exude more joy. “But you have a little slice of heaven right here, Lottie. Every time you look at her, think of how much I love you, that I’m always thinking about you.”
“Same with me, precious one.” Nell robes herself around the baby and me. And the four of us have one beautiful otherworldly visit.
Both Dad and Nell take off for paradise, and it’s just Lyla Nell and me once again.
“Happy birthday, baby,” I whisper. “I love you now and forever, Lyla Nell. And nothing or no one will ever come between us.”
An enormous exhaustion overtakes me, but I refuse to succumb to sleep. I can’t. I can’t take my eyes off of this perfect ray of sunshine sent down from up above. Instead, I gaze at my beautiful daughter and dream of the future, of my daughter’s future, hoping it brings with it all the very best things. It feels as if every curse has been broken and there are only sunshine and rainbows on the horizon.
But a part of me knows better.
A part of me is wary of what’s to come and who’s to bring it.
There are still so many unanswered questions. And as I fall deeper in love with my sweet little baby, I try my best to forget about any question marks that might be lingering in the air.
Lyla Nell is finally here, and she has just eclipsed everything I’ve ever had or hoped for—in the very best way.
I land a kiss to her tiny sweet nose. “Welcome to the world, baby girl. You’re the frosting on my cupcake.”
Everett
I’m a father. Again.
My lips twitch in and out of a grin as I shake my head with nothing but adulation. Nothing but joy and love pouring out of me.
My phone buzzes and I quickly look at the screen in the event it’s Lemon. But it’s not her. It’s Manny Moretti.
I’m downstairs in the parking lot. Make it quick. I’ve got a chick in the car.
“I’ll make it quick, all right,” I mutter as I head through the lobby of the hospital and into the icy air outside.
Manny stands by a planter that’s half his size with a dark suit on and the tie loosened. He’s about my age, hardened by life, hungry for power. His eyes look lost in their own shadows, and that mean look on his face lets me know he’s all business.
“You ready to make a deal?” He nods my way as I head over.
“That’s why I called you.” Once I heard there was a Moretti looking to make a name
