Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
“What are you doing on that side of the railing?” Ava asks, frowning as she takes me in from top to toe, worried.
“I . . .” I exhale, laughing under my breath, looking back to the edge of the water. There’s a mad feeding frenzy happening, the ground littered with seed. I look down at my hand clasping the empty packet of bird feed. “I was feeding the ducks,” I say quietly, returning my attention to Ava. She looks charmed. Maybe a little knowing.
I put myself on the right side of the fence and crouch, collecting the kids up, one in each arm. I look between them. Miracles. “Ready to go home?” I ask.
It’s a Daddy Sandwich as they both hug my head and I go to Ava, seeing she’s quietly curious still. I bend, letting her drop a kiss on my lips. “Your keys and phone,” she says, pulling them out of her handbag. “You left them on the table in the restaurant.”
I did?
“You did,” she muses, as we start walking out of the park. “What happened?” she asks, eyes on me as Maddie and Jacob slap my cheeks in time to my steps.
“Nothing happened,” I assure her, lowering the kids to their feet, smiling when they go bombing off across the grass. I put my arm around Ava, bringing her close, watching the twins chasing each other as we wander along behind them.
I look over my shoulder. “Just saying goodbye to someone,” I whisper.
Two someones who have talked me off the ledge and walked alongside me. Helped me get to where I am today. My new normal. My daily happiness.
No more self-loathing and torture.
I look down at Ava tucked into my side, as she looks up at me, smiling her understanding. “I love you,” I whisper, pushing my lips into her hair, breathing in deeply.
“I know,” she murmurs, resting her hand on my chest as we follow the kids. “It’s been a lovely day.”
“Pure bliss, baby,” I reply, smiling.
Forever.
All because of this woman.