Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

“I just want a family.” She whispered tiredly, and I could’ve sworn my
eyes watered at that.
There was so much pain in those five words, so much longing, it felt like
someone had plunged their hand directly into my chest and was squeezing my
heart until it might explode.
“And you’ll have one.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “But you need
to be strong, okay? And you need to trust me.” She looked down, dejected.
“Sofia says we can’t trust anyone.”
“I’m not anyone, am I?” Caressing the hair away from her face, she
looked back at me. “I care about you and Sofia, Valentina. Very freaking
much. And I need you to trust me, okay?” She waited a beat before she
quietly nodded.
Almost shyly, she laid her head on my shoulder.
“I will need to take care of Sofia tonight, so you’ll sleep at Andrea’s
house, alright? Remember Andrea? My sister? Adrianna’s mother.” She
nodded and I continued. “They’re family too. You’ll have the best sleepover,
watch all those Disney movies you love and eat popcorn until your tummy is
full.” I tickled her and she giggled tiredly. That brought a small smile to my
face. “And in the meantime I’ll be taking care of everything. Believe me,
Sofia isn’t going anywhere.”
She frowned and pinched her lips together. “Pinky promise?” Valentina
put her pinky finger in the air and looked at me expectantly.
“Pinky promise.” I laced mine with it and kissed her forehead. She
hugged me a bit tighter, like she didn’t want to risk me getting away.
I wasn’t going anywhere.
***
SOFIA