MALIA’S POV

Her little body relaxed against mine, and for a moment, everything felt right.

“This is nice,” Joan whispered, almost as if she were afraid to break the spell of the moment.

“It is,” I agreed softly. I kissed the top of her head, breathing in the scent of lavender from her shampoo. “I love you both so much.”

Joan tilted her head up to look at me, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Like how Daddy loves me?”

I smiled, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yes, just like that. I’ll always be here for you, Joan. You know that, right?”

She nodded, but there was a flicker...