I feel weak, but I can’t be.
“Hi,” a clear, high voice called. Myles had pulled himself up and was peeking over the edge of the playpen, looking at me. His arms went in the air.
“Hi, sweetheart.” I rushed toward him, fear giving way to overwhelming affection. He was the center of my world now. Not research or the lab, but this precious little boy who looked so much like his daddy, but who had his mother’s smile.
When I lifted him from the playpen, he put his chubby arms around my neck, and I couldn’t resist burying my face in his hair. I was so thankful that he hadn’t been in the car with Lauren and Carter. A little bit of them was still in the world, and even if I was frightened of the responsibility of having a child, I would much rather have it than have there be nothing left.
“I think he’s happy to see his aunt,” Owen said, as I turned to him.
“I’m his mom now, I guess. The only one he’ll ever know anyway.” The thought was exciting and terrifying. Owen only nodded. “And you’re his dad.”
This was such a weird place to be. Two unlikely people becoming instant parents. Owen’s eyes shifted from me to Myles, and the love he felt for his nephew was written on his face.
Some of the panic that brimmed just under the surface of my skin subsided. I wasn’t in this alone. Owen was an unlikely partner, but our goal was the same.
Okay, we can do this.
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Guarding His Fake Family Page 21
