Her lips half and I hear the mushy consumption of breath, staring up at me in disbelief and emotion so heat that it thaws the final coldest elements of me. She squeezes my fingers as she says, “I gained’t ever depart you. Wanna know why?”

My coronary heart kilos, and I smile. “Why?”

She smiles again, and the sight is so fucking lovely, I’ve it dedicated to reminiscence. “As a result of I like you, too.”

When she kisses me to seal that promise, I do know it’s one neither of us will ever break.

Epilogue

DIANA

Two months later. . .

“. . . And, yeah, that’s principally what’s been happening these previous few months,” I end, blowing out an extended breath. A small smile curves on my lips. “Sorry I haven’t visited you earlier than this, Dad. However now you recognize it’s simply been slightly hectic.”

A breeze blows by, and my eyes fall shut, letting the wind caress my pores and skin. My coronary heart twists, and I select to imagine that was an indication from my dad, wherever he’s, that he’s been listening to me discuss nonstop for the final fifteen minutes about what’s been happening in my life. I open my eyes a couple of minutes later, the tears stinging however not but falling as I smile on the gravestone in entrance of me.

Benjamin Gregory Elliott

Beloved father, devoted good friend.

I absorb a pointy breath. “Comfortable birthday, Dad,” I whisper, hoping he can nonetheless hear me.

With the bouquet of daisies resting at his grave, I rise up to my toes and brush the dust and dry leaves off my denims, earlier than strolling away. It feels as if I’m leaving a bit of my coronary heart behind as I depart the cemetery, however perhaps it’s going to all the time really feel that method. There gained’t be a day that I gained’t miss my dad, however I additionally know he wouldn’t need me to make my whole life revolve round lacking him.

By the point I get again to the property, I really feel slightly lighter, and a smile tugs at my mouth once I see Bruno’s automobile is right here, together with the butterflies that erupt in my chest. Once I stroll into the home, the very first thing that catches my consideration is the unmistakable scent of brownies lingering within the air. Within the distance, I can hear the sounds of Monica and Matteo laughing their cute, shrieking giggles.

I stroll into the kitchen, and my jaw drops at the same time as I grin, staring on the sight earlier than me. Clearly, that they had tried to make brownies from scratch, judging by the flour smeared on every of their cheeks. “What’s going on right here?” I ask with fun, eyes widening in delight.

Three pairs of eyes take a look at me. Monica, Matteo, and Bruno, who seems to be simply as a lot of a large number as his children. It’s an exquisite sight, one which I need to be burned in my head perpetually. “We’re making brownies,” Matteo grins.

Subsequent to him, Monica’s shoulders hunch as she pouts at me. “We wished to shock you,” she says, sounding upset that the shock is outwardly ruined, trying up at her dad.

My coronary heart melts as I press a hand to my chest earlier than my gaze slides over to Bruno. He’s in his leisure garments, simply sweats and a shirt, beautiful as all the time. Bruno walks over to me, my gaze by no means leaving him as he approaches me till his tall physique towers over mine. “Nicely, I’m completely shocked,” I reply Monica, however my gaze is mounted on Bruno’s darkish eyes.

I see the concern gently swimming in his eyes—an emotion he has began freely exhibiting round me—together with others. He’s not as closed off and chilly as he had been once we first met, and I do know it’s due to how a lot issues have modified between us. It’s a change I welcome. “How’re you doing?” Bruno asks me quietly, brushing a lock of my blonde hair behind my ear.

My chest thumps, and I like the sight of the flour smeared on his cheek, a few of his beard a sufferer to the flour as effectively. “I’m okay,” I say quietly, nodding. And I’m okay, I understand. I damage, as I all the time will, but it surely’s not too insufferable. Particularly when Bruno gently grasps my arms and doesn’t break his gaze from mine. I jerk my chin towards the counter the place the youngsters are. “Was this your concept?”

Bruno provides me a mushy smile that makes my chest flutter much more. “I instructed the youngsters immediately was your dad’s birthday. They know he’s. . . gone,” he says rigorously, and I nod. “And so they wished to do one thing for you. Therefore the brownies.”

Heat spreads by means of my physique and tears sting my eyes, although these ones are of pure pleasure and the overwhelming feeling of being cherished. “That’s so candy,” I murmur, my hand reaching as much as wipe the flour off Bruno’s cheeks. “Thanks.”

Bruno flashes one other smile. “Don’t thank us but—I don’t know what we’re doing.” That pulls fun out of me and he shrugs his broad shoulders. “I googled a recipe however, you recognize, they gained’t be pretty much as good as yours.”

I roll my eyes, grinning. “Clearly not,” I tease. “Come on, I’ll assist.”

For the subsequent short time, the 4 of us work collectively making the brownies, and it has me feeling extra relaxed than I had woken up this morning. As soon as the brownies are within the oven, I usher Monica and Matteo out of the kitchen to get cleaned up.

They run out, and simply as I transfer to assist Bruno clear up the counter, their footsteps come dashing again. “Oh!” I say, shocked when the twins each hug my center, and my coronary heart jumps as I look down at them however return the hug. I look at Bruno, who’s smiling as he watches us, his eyes filled with a sort of heat and love that had as soon as solely been for his children, however now I do know can also be prolonged to me. Laughing frivolously, I ask the youngsters, “What’s this for?”

Monica seems to be up at me, inexperienced eyes vivid as she grins. “We love you,” she says merely, and people three easy phrases have my coronary heart stopping. I can’t ever hear it sufficient—not from them, nor from their dad.

My arms relaxation on the again of their heads, throat tight as I’ll myself to not cry. God, I’ve been doing that so much recently—however for good cause. “I like you guys, too,” I whisper, smiling down on the children.

They each give me one final squeeze earlier than dashing off, and I stare after them for a second earlier than releasing a breath and shaking my head. Once I take a look at Bruno, who’s eyeing me quietly, I shake my head. “I like these children.”

Formally, I’m not Monica and Matteo’s nanny anymore since Bruno and I obtained collectively. However my time is spent with them for probably the most half, taking care of them as in the event that they’re my very own children—and, truthfully, I imagine them to be. After the whole lot we went by means of, Bruno and I’ve gotten our heads out of our asses and dedicated to our emotions for one another. I’ve moved up into his main bedroom, and I’m at present within the strategy of promoting my dad’s home after bringing over the trinkets he had collected over time, and placing the remaining in storage.

Supply: www.seynovel.com