Chapter 30

“Hi pumpkin, glad to see you again,” I replied to her.

“I am happy, too. I was worried you’d turn into a mean monster like mommy did. But Marcus said you’d be fine, and that he was always right cause he was the oldest,” she babbled.

I laughed because that was the thing Darren used to tell the kids all the time. It tore my heart to hear it, yet at the same time, I loved hearing proof that the kids listened occasionally.

“Well, he was right. Wasn’t he? I’m here and I’m okay for the most part,” I said to her giving her another hug then lifting her down.

Once freed she happily raced off once again to oh and ah over the babies with the other kids.

“She’s taking the death of her mother really well,” I commented to Julia once I knew the children were occupied.

Julia’s face almost fell, but she seemed to straighten her back and bury the feelings once more.