Chapter Forty-five

Spending time with Doni and his family brings me back to how things used to be, as if we picked up where we left off.

I can never get enough of Doni's soft, sweet, and tender kisses. During dinner, he smoothed soft circles over my knee. Every time he touches me, it sends a tingly sensation between my legs. His mouth curved upwards, knowing the effect he had on me.

Game night was the best. I won this time, even though he rewarded me a snow kiss. We played my favorite game of Sequence, which I won as well, followed by a round of Pictionary. It was girls against guys, and guess who won?

That's right.

The ladies won.

I called Mom, letting her know I will be home in the morning. She was in good spirits while her co-workers kept her company, along with Josiah who's ready for me to come home.

"Mommy loves you, baby." I blow kisses to my little girl on the screen. She makes the cutest baby noises, like she's trying to communicate with me.

There's a knock at the door..

"Come in!" I cry out, assuming it's Doni.

"Hi. Can I come in?" Jaquie stands halfway in the doorway with a huge smile on her face.

"Yeah, of course." I turn back to the phone. "Abuelita, que dios te bendiga. Nos vemos ma?ana. Besos." Abuela sends me a kiss before I end the call.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." She walks in the room and sits on the end of the bed.

"It's ok." I reassure with a smile.

She nods and sees the picture of Sophia I set as a background on my lock screen.

"Who is this beautiful thing?"

"She's um, my daughter." I grab my phone and shut off the screen.

"Your daughter?" Her ears perk up and her wide eyes show she's surprised by my answer.

"Yes."

"Please, tell me about her. How old is she?" she asks with genuine interest.

"She's six months, feisty, the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"I'd love to meet her one day."

"Yes, I'd like that too." I whip out my phone and show her the pictures Doni took whenever he was with her and uploaded onto my new phone.

"She looks like you." Her lip trembles. "I'm so sorry you lost so much time with the boys. I wish I was there when she was born." She wipes her tears away.

"It's ok. I was mad at first, but I understand why you did what you did."

She gives a nod of appreciation.

The next half hour we talk about nothing and everything. I forgot how much I miss her company as a kid.

She taps my knee, gets up from the bed, and walks toward the door. She stops with her hand on the door handle and turns back to me. "He loves you so much. I broke my sons' when I was trying to protect them. I won't do that again. Thank you for putting them back together. You're like a daughter to me, Sadie. I love you very much, and I will always be here for you."

Before I can respond, she walks out and closes the door behind her. I throw my head back on the pillow, exhausted from all the emotions swirling around in me.

The whole cabin is quiet. Everyone is wiped out from all the activities that took place today. After taking a nice warm shower, I slip into a pair of long snowflake-printed flannel PJ bottoms, and a light blue tank top with spaghetti straps and crawl under the warm duvet.