TIFFIN 3

84

"What in God's name was that woman doing snooping around?" Archie demanded incredulously. 

"I don't know but I'd like to bury her six feet under." Emma fumed. "She has some major balls showing up here. I swear, I will find out who gave her bail and beat them to a pulp."

Beside me, Hero went pale. None of this was good for his state of being. First, he was now fretting over our daughters future, as was I. 

Secondly, he probably had been hoping that he had gotten off easy with her sentencing but now... 

Dear god. Who had bailed her out? 

Did that mean Evengot- 

"That's enough everyone," I ordered, relieving Eleanor from Hero's grip, "she's out of prison, but let's not focus on that. There's a beautiful little girl that deserves all the spoiling and attention in the world. Not an arguement."

Emma's face morphed from that of an angry villager, to a softened grandmother. Jesus. She had a knack for changing her emotions in a moments notice. 

"Of course. Here. Let me." 

She took Eleanor out of my arms, patting her lightly on the back.

"I'm sure she's feeling gassy. The poor dear."

As she led the way into the kitchen, with Brendan on her heels, I followed Hero as he rushed to our bedroom. He didn't say a word. Just sank onto the mattress, hanging his head. 

"Babe? Are you okay?" 

He slowly lifted his head. I saw that his eyes were now rimmed red with tears. 

"I'm such a failure." He whispered. 

I gasped, hurrying to his side. 

"What? How can you say that?" 

He sniffed, wiping an arm across his nose. I knew he saw this as weakness, but I didn't care how he looked at the moment. He was crying for help. 

"Her being here reminded me that I'll never be free. When she came at me with Eleanor in my arms... I wanted to be the man I know she deserves, but... I'm still weak. Diedre still instills this... fear within me. It's like everyone expects so much out of me but I can't please you all." 

I frowned, running a hand through his unruly locks. 

"Hero... no one expects anything from you. When you saw what she had done to Kylie, you took a big step and banished her from your life. Don't think about the negative. We've made a gorgeous little girl together. You are not a failure." 

He shook his head adamantly. 

"What if letting Diedre go wasn't enough? What if.... what if I fail my own daughter?"

Taking his face in my hands, I glowered. 

"That's impossible. Are you listening, Hero Fiennes Tiffin? You've shown me how much I mean to you by trying to find Evengot in secret. Though it caused me some pain, I'm grateful. So is Eleanor. I can already tell how  protective you are of her. I'm just hoping she doesn't get mixed with some badboy in college that wants to steal her innocence." 

At my giggle, Hero growled, looming over me. 

"Fuck that! No boys. At all." 

I bit my lip. 

"Oh, you're quite the hypocrite. She won't always be a small newborn."

His face softened. Trailing a finger across my cheekbone, he stared longingly at me. 

"No, but I couldn't forgive myself if she was to get hurt. Any of you."

Then, without warning, Hero lifted the skirt of my dress, running his nose up the expanse of my thigh. 

I did my best to shove at his head but to no avail.

"Hero.... god... no! I need to shower."

"Oh my dear. I believe I promised I would take you for better or for worse. I don't care. I'll take you however I can get you. I just need you to know that I love you." 

As his tongue lapped it's way through my tender folds and circled my bud, I knew I was a goner.