Chapter 59: Family
I looked down at Michelle and tightened my arm protectively around her. Her youthful, sleeping face made my heart crack. What a horrible thing for a young girl to go through.
Her tough exterior made so much more sense now. She had such a tough start in her life, and that gave her major trust issues. I was honored that she seemed to trust me.
I gently stroked her black hair. I wished that I could take away all her pain. She shouldn’t have to deal with a burden like that.
In her sleep, Michelle leaned into my touch, snuggling closer to my side. A lump developed in my throat.
“I’m grateful that Michelle has you,” I said to Gareth as I gazed down at the young girl’s sleeping face.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
I looked at him and smiled. “It’s amazing that you took her in when you didn’t have to. You take such good care of her.”
“It’s what anyone else should have done for family,” Despite his dismissive words, a pleased expression crossed his face. “I couldn’t do nothing, not when I could stop Michelle from entering the foster system. Family is supposed to stay together.”
“I agree.” I thought of my father in prison and my mother living half a life without him.
We were quiet after that, but this silence wasn’t awkward. It was comfortable. Like we were actually husband and wife, driving our daughter home from school.
When we arrived back at their mansion, I shook Michelle gently awake. She opened her eyes halfway and stared up at me groggily.