Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

It broke me to see how losing the people she cared for one after the other
made her scared of getting attached again.
Part of it was my fault, I had to admit. For the longest time, it was just the
two of us. We took care of each other, we looked out for each other. When
we lost mama and papa, I told her one day we would go out in the world and
make a great life for ourselves but that in the meantime, we couldn’t trust
anyone else.
Then Maddox came into the picture and somehow wrecked this idea I
had. Before I could see anything coming, we were living with him, having
dinner together, cooking together, watching movies and going out for
pancakes. I knew what kind of beer he drank, what his favorite brand of
fabric softener was and even got jealous of his damn neighbor.
It was scary as shit but at the same time, I hadn’t had such stability in my
life in a long time and it made me realize how much I craved it. I wondered if
maybe it was the same for Valentina. It hurt just thinking about it, but maybe I
hadn’t been enough. Maybe there were some things I couldn’t give her that
Maddox could.
“Of course it’s okay, mami. You have such a big heart.” I put my hand
over it, on her puffy jacket. “There’s place for more than one person. There’s
nothing wrong with forming bonds with people other than me, baby.”
She didn’t say anything, her trembling lips and watery eyes kept her from
speaking. Instead, she jumped on me, nearly making me fall over. Her little
arms wrapped around my neck and her face burrowed against it.
I gulped, swallowing my tears down and hugged her tight.
“You’re the most important person in my life and I hope you know I’ll do
anything for you.” I managed to whisper even when my throat felt tight with
emotions.
“I know. You always have. You take the monsters away.”