The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 17

Ezra's POV

The old farmhouse in the French countryside came into view as I pulled up the gravel path.

The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue across the rolling fields, and the scent of lavender lingered in the warm breeze.

Today's her birthday.

I stepped out of the car, my heart pounding a little harder than I'd like to admit. It had been too long.

With a deep breath, I walked up to the door and knocked.

It opened almost instantly. Iris stood there, eyes wide with disbelief, and then joy.

"Oh em gee!" she squealed, throwing her arms around me before I could even say a word. She smelled like vanilla and hay, and home.

Behind her, I heard the sharp intake of breath — a gasp so small but so full of surprise. "MOMMA!" Lily's voice rang out.

She stood just a few feet away, eyes bouncing between me and the small, dappled pony I'd brought with me.

Her head tilted like she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

"You got me a pony?" she asked, her voice full of awe.

I knelt down, smiling. "Happy birthday, mi amore."

Lily's face lit up like the summer sun, and she launched herself into my arms, hugging me with all the strength her little arms could muster.

"The pony's a bonus," she murmured, burying her face in my neck. "I just wanted you."

I held her close, tighter than I'd ever dared to before. "I missed you so much," I whispered, pulling back to cup her face.

"I missed you more," she said with conviction.

"I don't think that's possible," I grinned.

"It is," she insisted, crossing her arms like she was laying down a challenge.

We both laughed, the sound light and unburdened, and hand-in-hand, we walked out to the barn to settle the pony in.

She gave me the grandest tour of her world — introducing me to every horse by name, pointing out goats with personality, chickens with drama, even the cat that apparently thought it ruled the place.

By the time we stepped back inside the house, straw clung to my clothes, and my heart felt fuller than it had in years.

Back inside, we all settled into the cozy warmth of the living room. I sat on the couch, a few carefully wrapped gifts beside me.

"Here— I have a few other things for you," I said, patting the space next to me. Lily scrambled up beside me, eager fingers already tugging at the ribbon.

She tore open the first box and gasped. Nestled inside was a plush toy—soft, speckled, and almost a perfect mini version of her new pony outside.

"It matches your pony," I said with a smile. "But in stuffed animal form."

Lily hugged it tightly, her little arms wrapping around its plush neck. "Thank you, Momma," she said, looking up at me with that pure, heart-melting smile.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Oh— and there's one more thing," I added, glancing over at Iris with a smirk. "Because Roman would absolutely kill me if I didn't tell you about him."

Lily looked curious now, sitting up straighter.

"You know how Iris is your godmother?" I asked.

She nodded.