HARPER
"I love you, Mama."
I turned immediately toward his bed.bNico was still asleep.
His chest rose and fell steadily, his lashes resting against his cheeks without the slightest sign that he had spoken.
And yet, I knew I had heard his voice.
I moved away from the door and back toward the bed, crouching beside it with a small smile tugging at my lips.
"I love you too, baby," I whispered softly, brushing my fingers along his chin.
Then I reached for his hand, slipping my index finger into his tiny palm. Almost instantly, his fingers curled around mine.
My chest constricted.
I sat there quietly, staring at him while he slept, letting myself sink into the warmth of that simple touch.
It felt good.bToo good. And painfully unfamiliar at the same time.
Somewhere along the line, I had drifted away from moments like this. My mind had been consumed by everything else.
