Once in her arms, Hope lifted her tear-stained little face to look at her, initially looking surprised to see her mother there, but then her expression distorted into a sad sob and she buried her head against Missy's chest, panting.-Mommy... – her little baby wailed, making Missy's heart sink even more – Mommy... Mommy...- It's okay, my sweetheart. – Missy tried to console her, running her hands through her soft hair, while she continued to say, in a low and gentle voice, almost as if she were singing a lullaby to her, as she did every night – Mommy is here, don't worry. It's going to be okay... - she waited until Hope's cries went from copious to just a few sad sobs, before finally asking - Hope, what happened? – she caressed her cheek until she convinced her to look up – Why are you crying, little angel?Hope's little mouth quivered a few times before she finally sniffled, her little blue eyes filled with such sadness that Missy found herself kissing her little cheek over and over
Smiling a small contented smile, Hope visibly relaxed for a moment, but then the nervousness seemed to take over her small body again, as Missy led them to the large counter, where the old man greeted them warmly.-We… Hmmm… – Hope stammered nervously, hugging Missy with more and more desperation – We wanted an ice cream… Huh… – Her little daughter was getting more and more insecure, looking at her as if she was begging for help.- I would like a strawberry ice cream, please. – Missy asked softly, as she remembered saying when she was a little girl so terribly shy that she could barely ask anything from people she didn't know – And you, my love? she asked Hope, with a smile full of encouragement, for her to keep talking.- I want chocolate... Please. – Hope whispered, completely blushing, before burying her face in her mother's shoulder quickly.- Well, what a polite little girl... – the gentleman smiled, while picking up some glass bowls – You must be very proud to have such a kind d
- Uncle, Logan! I can now take the training wheels off my bike! With a fond smile, Logan looked down at his bouncy little niece, whose huge smile on her excited little face was nothing short of infectious. Arranging yet another platter full of food on the huge wooden table in the middle of his parents' garden, he leaned down a little towards Eleanor, gently stroking the dark curls that swayed as she bounced happily. - I'm glad to see you so confident, dear. - He smiled proudly, even though a part of him was confused by that sudden determination - What happened to make you so sure you're ready? Ever since he'd given Ellie her first bike, a gift for her fifth birthday, two months ago, she'd been equally obsessed and terrified of taking the training wheels off – especially after nearly falling off several times, even the using. For weeks, the whole family had taken turns to continue teaching her and try to make her more confident in her new toy, but her niece seemed more and more convi
- I'm not mad at you, Logan. – Megan reassured him, giving a quick smile that soon disappeared to give way to a confused and even a little worried expression – But that's quite a cult of logic, don't you think? It's surprising how skeptical you seem to be about anything supernatural. – She assessed him curiously – After everything I've learned about the Knights, this was the last type of behavior I would have expected. - I didn't know that believing too much in science and logic was a bad thing. - Logan muttered, annoyed with the fact that that conversation had ended on that subject - But I think skeptic is a word that defines me well. I consider it a compliment, actually. - He forced a smile, even knowing that anyone could see his annoyance - I've had enough proof that the only strength that really makes a difference in this world is willpower. – with that statement, his yellow smile became convinced, almost satisfied, especially for knowing that that was the greatest truth that coul
- I'm not afraid of anything. – Logan snarled, trying to contain his temper, at the same time that anger took him when he realized that now not only Megan knew what the real issue was about there, but also her entire family, judging by the way they suddenly became tense and silent. Damn that deck of Megan's and those random cards that for some incomprehensible reason had landed right on her weak spot... No, he had no weakness. A long time ago, he had promised himself that he would never allow himself to have that kind of soft spot. - So that's what you want to avoid so much... - Megan ignored him solemnly, still looking worried and extremely concentrated on the letter on the table - Oh, Logan, I'm sorry, but these efforts are in vain. The second card is about the present and Os Enamorados represents some kind of relationship that is to come, which can also mean a romantic love... - after a moment pondering, she looked at him with intensity again, with her face almost pitying - What y
- The moon. Megan's eyes, instead of widening like the other two times, were now narrowed with doubt and concern. - It's the card that represents what can solve your problem... But its meaning talks about issues that are not yet well delineated and illusions... - now almost exasperated, Megan raised her distressed gaze to him - Logan, the The future of this situation is still very unclear. You have many mistakes in your past and they will impact your present soon. – Her sister-in-law chewed her bottom lip, as she watched the first two letters with pure uneasiness – You have to be careful. If you don't start fixing these mistakes as soon as possible, they will define your future and maybe you'll end up missing something very important. Maybe one of the most important things you can have in your life. – Megan spoke each word slowly, regret and concern permeating each letter, as if she really was revealing to him the greatest of prophecies. “Don't waste your worry on me, Megan. - With a
Why did she have to exist? Why mess up a lifetime of comfort and freedom he had built up after so much suffering? He was proud of who she was and the things he had done. Never in his life had he allowed life's pitfalls to stop him. He had struggled with poverty, fear, uncertainty... Why did that curse have to be stronger than all that? Why did that woman have to be standing right there, making him want to surrender to everything he hated the most? Why did she make him want to let himself be carried away by that imposition of fate? It seemed so easy, so tempting: he had only to hold out his hand and she would enter his life. They would form a family, as Diana had with Paul, and she would forever become the center of his universe, as Megan was Devon's—damn it, in just one second, she'd already become the center of his universe, no matter how much. he hated to admit it. He would come to believe in true love and magic, like his family. He would stop calling a curse a curse and thank the fa
- Missy, could you take a look at my brother's computer again, please? Laughing at her brother-in-law's rueful tone, Missy balanced her cell phone between her shoulder and ear as she quickly finished programming yet another detail into her project. “Of course, Devon, don't worry, that's what I'm here for. - But I hate asking you every single day. – she could almost see him pinching the bridge of his nose on the other side of the line, as he sighed – You're already doing us a huge favor by taking care of the technology part of this agency and my imbecile brother is wasting your time with these antics. - I didn't even create any of the programs, I just installed them. – Missy smiled shyly – And it's not your brother's fault for not knowing how to deal with technology. That's no reason to judge him so badly. - Don't talk like the marketing department hasn't been kissing your feet every day since you introduced that new graphic designer program. – Devon laughed, but then his tone becam