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My sing through ht?"

"Okay," she says with a toothy grin

Gracen blanches slightly when I turn aze on her There's no smile left, and my voice is razor sharp "I need to talk to you when she's asleep"

She ss hard and nods at me, and I try not to be bothered by the tiny bit of fear in her expression

--

Galeti and Joan Fabritis are the best parents in the world It's no exaggeration either My dad was born and raised in Lithuania, but received his higher education in the States A few years after finishing grad school, he became a naturalized citizen and insisted people use the more Americanized name Gale

He e and fell instantly in love with the sassy midwesterner fro on her beloved Packers Dad learned to love the Packers too

They lived and worked in New York City for years Theykids so they could concentrate on their careers By the time they were ready, they were in their late thirties and were really, really ready They'd done all their partying, traveling, and working hard to cli they were devoted to me Dad moved them to the suburbs of Wilkie, an hour and a half drive north of the city My mother became a full-time mom and Dad commuted to the city for work They wanted another kid, but it wasn't in the cards for theht call ivenlucky to have the best parents in the world

My parents were both so successful at their careers doing financial planning they were able to take early retirement My dad still dabbles for a few clients here and there, but he pretty much just plays with his money now

Oh, and he andme play hockey

Both a They put a lot of tion the ice While they worked hard, there was at least one of thee in Boston, it became a little trickier, and they couldn't travel to watch me as often as they'd liked

But three years into my career as a professional hockey player, Dad walked away from Wall Street and I purchased season tickets for the fan club They've always been there for me

Always

It's hen Ithe loss they'd be feeling, because there were never two people ere randparents than Gale and Joan Fabritis

Druital clock on the oven and will it to et this over with I pick up the bottle of bourbon and pour another inch intothe liquor is quellingwhile Gracen gets Lilly tucked into bed It goes silent again and I can envision Gracen sitting on the edge of Lilly's bed, singing to her She does this every night, and it's always the sas

Lilly's favorite lullabies, she told me

So before she's out Sometimes it takes all five before those eyes close On the rare occasions it takes ain I know this because I observed it that second night I'd returned from my beach trip with Holt to avoid Gracen and Lilly I lurked outside her roo the door behind her, she gave me a sheepish look

"Sorry is pretty bad," she muttered

"She likes you to sing to her?" I asked curiously, because s to Lilly

Gracen told s, two I knew the lyrics to and three I didn't I have since looked the Home a Baby Bu"--and I'm determined to learn them

I pick up the bourbon and slug it back,from the burn in my throat I set the tuain I want to keep my wits about me

Lilly must have fallen asleep fast, because Gracen's footsteps echo lightly on the staircase as she co to face her as she steps into the kitchen

She doesn't even give me a chance to attack first Her eyes narrow at me and she crosses her ars, though, and I know that's in deference to Lilly asleep upstairs "Okay Let's have it You're clearly pissed at "

"Mo"

That was the start of the conversation

"I told ritted teeth as I stand froine hoent"

Gracen's face cruainst it, though

Lowering her face, she whispers, "Howhow did they take it?"

In two long strides I' to her chin to force her face up I lean into her and growl, "How did they take it? They're devastated Torn to pieces for everything theyIfor the for me too"