Chapter Seventy-Nine: Dying Man

" ‘Yes’, said the big hairy fox. He did not want to share his food but-"

I stop reading the picture book when I notice Marigold and Luca’s small arms that should be tapping the pictures excitedly aren’t moving.

They were sleepy, perhaps jetlagged.

Ah, to be young and allowed to rest.

I press my lips against each of their foreheads and expertly lift my body from the small bed they are sharing. It was cramped with me there.

"Are you okay?"

Daniel asks from the door and I press a finger to my lips before heading towards him and turning off the lights, leaving only the night lights on.

Daniel closes the door behind me and guides me by my waist down the hall. We have grown used to the contact that sometimes came naturally. I don’t know why I feel my cheeks heat at times like this, perhaps because it feels as if we are a family.

I sigh to dismiss the thought, but I would definitely miss him after he leaves.

"Where are you guiding me?"

"Our room."

"I could have slept with the kids.