I couldn’t move or react, trembling in a way I had never experienced before. I knew I was going to crumble apart, but I desperately fought to keep myself together. It took me some time, but I regained control of my emotions. I threw myself into him, hugging him tightly for being so perfect, for loving me so much he was the glue to all my broken pieces. For also loving the most precious person in the world to me. Winnie.
When I pulled back, my voice was hoarse as I said, “Let’s go get our cub.”
From the corner of my eye I could see Carrie’s huge smile and Violet’s tear-streaked face, and a small part of my heart ached. I reached back and brushed my hand against Violets, ignoring her usual flinch as our energies collided. I then blew her a kiss, telling her silently that she was also my family, that I would always be there for her, and now she had Kade too. I might not have had the best experience with family, but that was going to change now. My version of a family would stick together. We would have each other’s backs. We would stand against all who tried to tear us apart.
Exiting the ATV, I sprinted into the garden, following the sounds of childish laughter. My heart was beating rapidly as Winnie came into sight, her hair a mess of waves, her cheeks pink. She didn’t see me until I was almost on top of her; her eyes lit up as I dashed up and scooped her into my arms.
“Sissy!” she shrieked in my ear. Fat, hot tears were already dripping down my cheeks as I stood there holding her, trying my best not to squeeze the life out of her in my need to be close to her.
Wiggling her way back a little, she placed a tiny hand on my cheek, her eyes serious and looking far older than her five years. “Why are you crying, Ari? I missed you so much. Don’t cry. I’ll look after you.”
The dam burst and actual sobs escaped from my tightly pressed lips. Winnie wound her arms around my neck then and hugged me hard. She was looking after me in the innocent way of a child.
“I love you so much, Win. I love you more than anything else in this world. More than any crown or title.”
She pulled back again and patted my cheek this time. “I know you do, silly. You always say you love me.” She quieted a moment. “Will you have to go away again? I don’t like it when you leave.”
I shook my head a few times, a frantic back and forth, before I calmed enough to say, “I promise you, Win, I am going to do everything in my power to ensure we’re not apart like that anymore. Kade and I are going to try and rule together. You’ll live with us. You’re our family and we are sticking together.”
She looked thoughtful as she asked: “Like having real parents?”
More sobs were trying to emerge, but I kept them contained. “Yes, baby girl, exactly like having real parents. We’ll never let anyone hurt you. You’ll be safe and loved every single day.”
Kade, who had been hovering close by, stepped into us now and wrapped his long arms around us both. His warmth and energy was everywhere, and I let him hold me up, because my legs were so weak. Winnie giggled, popping her head up and brushing her lips across my cheek and then Kade’s. “I think I’m going to like having parents.” Then she wiggled and I knew it was time to let her go. Five year olds only have so much hug threshold before they need their freedom.
When she was back on her bare feet, her little head darted around. “Can you help me find Chase? He’s hiding somewhere and I have been looking forever!”
I turned to Kade and he grinned. “Chase is my nephew.”
Winnie bobbed her head up and down. “Yes, he’s my best friend. We play every day and we’re going to be mermaids and pirates when we grow up.”
I bent so my head was level with hers and gave her a bright grin. “Glad you found that bear best friend you’ve been looking for, Win. Now … let’s see if we can find that sneaky cub.”
She let out a delighted shriek and then we were off, running through Kade’s luscious garden, playing hide and seek. In a few hours’ time I’d have to rest and prepare for tomorrow, but for now there was nothing else in the world I’d rather be doing. Even though exhaustion was beckoning for me to sleep, and Kade as well, we played in the garden for over two hours, running after Chase and Winnie, making animals noises and hiding behind trees. It was finally around 3 P.M that I lost my battle with my heavy eyes and my head began to dip down into my half-eaten sandwich.
“Ari needs a nap!” Winnie giggled, which had Chase bursting into fits of laughter.
Looking at sweet Winnie now, something hit me, hard. She wasn’t my sister, not biologically. Different mom and dad. She felt more like a daughter. Might as well be. Calista and I had raised her since she was a day old. It made me love and cherish her more.
Reaching over, I squeezed her little hand. “I think I do need a nap. Will you be okay?” If she begged me to stay awake and play more, I would.
Winnie waved a hand at me. “I’m fine! Chase and I are going to find the mermaid cove and steal all of the pirate treasures there.”
I nodded. “Okay, as long as mermaid cove is in this backyard?”
One of Winnie’s attendants nodded, and I smiled. Kade had been watching me, beneath heavy lidded eyes of his own, and now he stood, taking my hand. Without another word we crossed into the house and walked down the hall to the bedroom. Once inside, I kicked off my shoes, belt, and slid my bra from beneath my shirt. Screw showering, screw pj’s, screw sex, I just wanted sleep. I fell into the thick feather-topped mattress and a sigh escaped my lips.
Kade sat perched on the edge of the bed. He let out a low, deep chuckle. “Sometimes I’m not sure if you love me or sleep more.”
I smiled. “It’s a tie, really.”
He wasn’t undressing or lying beside me.
Leaning over, he kissed my cheek. “I’ll be back in an hour to sleep beside you. I need to see my mother about something.”
“Mmmkay,” I mumbled, and that’s when the exhaustion took me.
I awoke to early morning light on my face. You know that feeling you get after an incredibly satisfying night’s sleep, that full body relaxation? I had that, and no wonder. One look at the alarm clock on the dresser told me I’d slept for fifteen hours. I rolled over and took in the sight of my big bear, his long body stretched out at my side, chest rising and falling. He actually looked pretty peaceful for Kade. Normally he had all of this energy and strength just naturally exuding from his body.