Ethan

“Daddy!” Paisley’s sweet voice whispers in my ear, as one of her sharp little fingers jabs my side. “Daddy, are you awakes?”

My eyes are still closed, and it feels as though I just fell asleep a moment ago. I’m not sure what time it is, but I know something must be up if Paisley is trying to wake me. Normally she climbs right into bed with me and snuggles up without a word, perfectly content to snooze until I’m ready to get up – even if her tummy is growling with hunger, she’ll happily choose cuddles over food.

“Daddy,” she whispers again, giving me another prod.

“No.” I moan, throwing an arm over my eyes dramatically. “I’m asleep.”

“Daddy!” Paisley giggles, the sweet sound lifting my sleepy spirits. “I’m serious.”

“So am I” I grumble, pulling the covers up over my head to hide from the adorable creature.

A moment later the duvet is yanked back down, and Paisley is sitting on my chest, determined to interrupt my rest. “Daddy I needs to talk to you.”

Begrudgingly I peek one eye open, assessing the serious pup and the low light filtering in through the windows. The sun must barely be rising, but my daughter’s beautiful green eyes are completely alert.

What’s wrong princess?” I ask, encouraging her to lie down agáin. She happily agrees, sprawling on my broad chest and resting her cheek against my shoulder.

“I’ve been thinking.” She says.

“Mhmm, about what?” I encourage, petting her tiny limbs.

pauses, betraying her fear that this isn’t actually true. “But just in case it isn’ I was thinking that you should go see Mommy and Ryder, Riley and Parker

in my mind I forced it back down, telling myself I was being selfish, putting my needs above theirs. When I don’t respond, Paisley presses on. “You

her siblings when

okay, sweetheart. I know.” I confirm, stroking her dark hair. With her perspective in mind, I can’t think of any reason to say no. Paisley is giving me the perfect excuse to see my beloved family before I go under the knife, and this truly will be the best thing for her

breathe, hugging her a bit more tightly. “We should

is another matter entirely. I tell her my decision over breakfast, waiting until Paisley left for school before sharing the idea with my

piece of toast balanced between her perfectly manicured fingers, “Are you sure that’s a

right. If I’m.. If I die on the operating table, I don’t want my family’s last memory of me to be that day at the rest stop – when I took Paisley away. I want to make sure they know how much I love them, and I want to see them

how much you love her. It will undo everything you’ve been working for these last few months.”

to give her if I don’t make it, but I still need to see her one last time, even if I can’t tell her how I feel. And I can tell the other pups.” I insist. “Besides, this way Paisley will be with Jane and her brothers and

Ethan, but it almost sounds like you’re expecting the worst to happen.” Nina frowns. “Are you

fifty-fifty chance. I don’t want to leave this earth with things unfinished. I need my children to know

sorry.” Nina concedes. “You’re right. But if you’re going to do this, then

if that’sa good idea.” I sigh. “I’m not Sure how Jane or the pups would handle that, and I

went off to see your ex and left me behind. If you do survive the surgery, we have to look like we’re completely united, otherwise the pack

Our marriage. The one you’re determined to make happen and that

will be happy in, but we’re agreeing to for convenience and

I agree. “But there may be times I want to be alone with them, and I’m

smiles gently.

be a strong team. This trip can be a good thing for us, as long as

to my consciousness. Thoughts about how calculating Nina is, how determined she seems to become Luna, and how little she seems to care for anything else. I know that isn’t entirely fair of me – there’s nothing inherently wrong with ambition and Nina explained why it was so important to her when we struck this deal. I just

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