“Madison,” I positioned my lips subsequent to her ear. “I’ve by no means been extra positive about something in my life.”
She jumped into my arms, wrapping her legs round my waist. I stumbled again a bit into the counter, cupping her rear in my palms. She giggled as I carried her into the bed room, laying her gently on the mattress.
“Oh no,” she snorted, “are you going to cease being tough with me and begin being overprotective?”
Narrowing my gaze on hers, I licked my lips. “Overprotective? Completely. Light?” I reached down, yanking her legs aside. “Not a fucking chanc—”
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
We froze.
“Are you anticipating anybody?” I whispered.
“No!” she hissed loudly.
I reached behind me, hovering my hand over my weapon as I approached the door, peeking by means of the peephole. Fuck. I twisted round. Eliza, I mouthed.
Maddie’s mouth fell agape.
Exhaling a quiet breath, I unlocked the door, pulling it open.
Startled, Elizabeth jumped. “Dad!”
“Eliz—”
She lifted her hand. “I ought to’ve identified you would be right here. And usually I might be mad about it, however I am truly glad. I would like to talk to each of you, so I used to be going to name you and inform you to come back right here, anyway.” Forehead cocked, she folded her arms. “Do I have to ask earlier than I enter my finest buddy’s home?”
Nonetheless shocked at her sudden presence, I stepped to the facet, letting her in. I glanced at Maddie for the primary time since I opened the door, and she or he was shocked.
“Hello,” she rasped.
Elizabeth sighed audibly. “Can we go sit down earlier than I alter my thoughts about being right here?”
Maddie and I exchanged an uneasy look as we adopted Elizabeth to the lounge. She plopped down in a chair whereas Maddie and I sat one cushion aside on the sofa.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Guys, come on.”
Maddie cleared her throat, inching nearer to me. “We’re simply attempting to respect you—”
“No,” Elizabeth laughed. “Simply don’t even end that sentence. After our go to yesterday, and now this, I would like to speak.”
Maddie snapped her mouth closed. I slid nearer to her, closing the hole between us, stretching my arm behind her on the again of the couch. We waited for Elizabeth to talk once more. She studied us in silence earlier than she continued.
Crossing her knee over the opposite, she leaned ahead propping on an elbow. “On the way in which over right here, I wasn’t positive how I used to be going to do that. I needed to speak to her first, however I additionally needed to speak to you guys collectively.” She sat again, folding her palms collectively. “I really like you each, and you’ll’t blame me for being upset or shocked. Particularly you, dad. As a result of we have been by means of this earlier than when the roles have been reversed.”
“I do know, sweetheart.”
“And,” she continued, “after speaking with Vinny about it and him speaking some sense into me, I’ve determined that I totally assist this as a result of once I put my emotions apart and actually take a look at how completely satisfied you might be, Dad, I notice how a lot you deserve it.”
Maddie and I exhaled a sigh of aid on the identical time.
“You have all the time had my again, even once I brought about a bunch of hassle,” Elizabeth continued. “And finally you had my again when mother attacked me due to my relationship.” She pressed her jacket sleeve to the nook of her eye, sniffling. “You have all the time put everybody first besides your self and for as soon as it’s essential to put your emotions earlier than anybody else’s. And I can see how completely satisfied you guys are collectively.” She snickered. “I knew one thing was occurring with you guys individually. I simply didn’t assume it was between you. So, I suppose what I am saying is, if being collectively is what you guys need, I would like you to know that similar to each of you will have had my again in each different state of affairs, I’ve each of yours on this.”
Maddie and I glimpsed each other, then again to Elizabeth.
She shifted in her seat. “What?”
I bought prepared to talk, however Maddie laid her palm on my thigh, shaking her head. “I might prefer to say it if that is okay.”
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