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“Oh, sweetie It has nothing to do with you” My heart splinters at the pure anguish on Aria’s face as I wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks “He’s just been working late”

That’s a lie, and I hate lying to Aria, but there are times when it’s best to not tell the truth, especially to child Aria’s age Theo and I will be having a long talk tonight once he gets hoht

Her eyes uts me “You promise?” she asks tearfully

I bend down and kiss her forehead, wishing so much I could wipe away any doubt in her mind “I promise, honey Your daddy loves you very much and he misses you just as much as you miss him”

She nods, and her little arainst s at her sords, and I squeezelike hell I can control my emotions until I leave the room

I take a cal breath, kiss her soft cheek, and pull back ?

?I love you too, Aria” And I do I love this little girl so much

The hopeless expression is gone, and a sirl of before

I sht, baby I’ll see you in the ”

“Good night”

I kiss her cheek one ht on in her closet, I close the door until it’s only left open a couple of inches, just the way she likes it I leave her room,rooet home

I wait, and I wait

After three hours, I know it’s going to be another late night Getting up froet ready for bed After Aria leaves for school tohter is feeling neglected, and I swear to Christ, he better do so to fix it No child should ever feel that way No child’s eyes should ever carry that desolate look

I cli closed before my head hits the pillow

I STRETCH LAZILY AND smile when I feel warm breath at my neck and the hard body at ers tickle across oose bumps to pop up over my skin