83. Luke

Chapter 83

Luke

Blizz bounces off my chest,and before I can grab his shoulders, he falls backward.

My mouth opens to apologize, but then Blizz hits the ground, and his head pops off.

And then I can’t say anything because it isn’t a him.

It’s a Princess.

Long dark hair spills around her shoulders as big, beautiful green eyes blink up at me.

Green eyes that I’ve missed like hell.

Green eyes that are filling with tears.

“Aw, Princess.” I rush to step over her, one foot on either side of her hips. “Please don’t cry.”

I hook my hands under Natalie’s arms and pull her to her feet.

She grips my biceps to balance herself.

A tear tracks down her cheek, then another.

I brush them away, keeping one hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“I fell down a lot,” she whispers.

I nod instead of smiling. “I saw.”

Natalie sniffs and bites her lip.

She’s taller like this, wearing skates. But she’s still so small compared to me. Short and soft, and my urge to protect is always strongest when I’m with her.

And tonight, she was so close to me. But I watched her fall over and over. Without ever catching her. Without ever knowing.

The urge to smile leaves me, and all I want to do is keep her safe.

“I’m sorry.” I brush my thumb over her cheek. “For all of it. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m—”

I shake my head and move my hands so they’re cupping her cheeks. “I’m an idiot. I should have just listened.” Another tear trails down her cheek, and it pierces through my chest. “I’ve been here pacing, trying to decide whether I should call you or try and find where you’re staying.” I catch a tear with my thumb and brush it away. “No, please stop crying. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll listen. You were right.”

She presses her lips together and sniffs again. Those bright eyes are full of so much emotion.

Then she opens her mouth and says the last thing I’d expect her to say.

“I missed you, Luke.”

I missed you.

Heavy air fills my lungs. “I fucking missed you too, Princess.”

She clutches at my forearms and stretches up as I lean down. And for the first time in weeks, I kiss my wife.