preceded by Lee, I could feel the weight of the decaden

of smooth lines and grand open spaces, but it is so

azing around in awe, her small hands clasped tightly aroun

castle!" she breathed in

my hold on her hand reassuring

falls, and she looks up at me questioning

ase, where I know Sami is hiding so

lack button-down, two buttons undone, sleeves rolled up to reveal hard forearms. His eye

even but distant, as if alrea

ipping along, her small sneakers making barely

and a window facing out over the garden. It's nicer than any room I ever slept in, but fo

inted over to the bed and collapsed on it, her

breath escaped

tral, but I didn't miss the manner in which his eyes lingered on Lee's

ou'll stay whene

ay here," I told him, tur

very stiffly

her from making

espond, he start

e bed, sighing and watching

have a lot to do so

ding towards the bathroom. As I was unpacking our t

g at the sight of Sami standing the

e didn't rush him. She just waved sli

idn't react. But he

t ached

ami," I w

is posture shifted ever so slightly and tu

***

ar her fro

something and laughter followed, a child's

d back in my chair, pinching

nd already everything's changed. The house is fuller. The s

But it's definitely somethin

bring her daughter here

help but see the shi

gnificant. But something is different in th

because

es she get to change things

***

to the soft pressure of

bed with me someti

atching the peaceful rise and fall of

swept up in a life I nev

fore making my way into the en-suite bathroom. I washed up qui

g sleepily, then blin

t," I whisper, sitt

es. "Is it time

"Almost. Let's ge

empty, but on the long table, a sumptuous breakfast wa

took it in. "Wow! Is all t

out a chair for

sitting down, I

I looked up, straig

doorway, arms crossed,

d at each oth

ice cut thr

office after

es, no explanation, no

lowly.

I couldn't shake the feeling

....

ng steadily but on high alert. I opened the door, and he

e?" I asked, attempt

a while. "You need t