“This is just the best day ever,” she breathes.
Mercy wipes a tear from her cheek. I squeeze her leg, and she smiles.
We pull into the garage, and Ivy bounces up and down.
When we walk into the house, standing in the hallway, Mercy says, “Let me show you your room.”
Ivy gapes at her, “What? I get my own room?”
Mercy giggles, “Where else would you sleep?”
She hugs Mercy, “I’ve never had my own room.”
My eyes meet Mercy’s, and we try to hide our surprise.
We all walk to Ivy’s princess room, and she lets out the loudest squeal I think I’ve ever heard.
Mercy has outdone herself with this room. There are large princess decals on the wall. She had to search for the Frozen decals. I didn’t think it mattered, but Mercy was insistent that Ivy loves Elsa the most, so she had to find it. I follow Ivy’s gaze to the bed with a frozen-themed bedspread, pillowcases, and a life-size Elsa doll on the bed.
Next, her eyes travel to the bookshelf lined with probably hundreds of books. I watch them, and this is a moment I’ll hold in my heart until the day I die. My two girls are so happy. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and didn’t even know.
I clear my throat, “I’m going to go make lunch.”
Mercy smiles, “Okay. We’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Seventeen
MERCY
I sit on her bed,watching her go through everything like a kid on Christmas. Oh my God, Christmas. I can’t wait. Ivy brings a book from the shelf and hands it to me. “Can we read this?”
I smile, “Of course.”
I lay on the bed and lift my arm, “Come here, sweet girl.”
She snuggles in the crook of my arm as I read the princess book she grabbed. Ivy listens intently, giggling many times throughout, but then she gets quiet. I look down at her, and she’s asleep. I pull her tighter and kiss the top of her head.
Liam stands in the doorway, watching us with a sparkle in his eyes. My gaze focuses on his face. Damn, this man is beautiful. The way he looks at me now makes him even more so.
He comes and sits on the edge of the bed.
“What are you thinking about, doctor?”
His lips turn into a sweet smile, “Happy looks good on you. Let her sleep, come eat lunch.”
“I’m fine. I’ll eat later.”
He raises an eyebrow without another word.
Gently, I move her out of my arms and get up without disturbing her.
We walk to the kitchen, and he says, “Good girl.”
I sigh, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re incredibly bossy, Dr. Lexington?”
He abruptly pushes me against the wall and puts his hand around my throat, holding me in place, “I know what’s best for you, baby girl. Always.”
Slamming his lips on mine, he kisses me in a rough, bruising kiss.