I slip into bed with Danielle. I just want to hold her longer before I leave.
"Luke, I'm sorry about earlier... I just-" I kissed her sweetly.
"Baby, I need to tell you something..." I begin to feel how hard it is to swallow, to let words come out of my mouth.
"I don't want things to be like this, darling... I'm leaving tomorrow night. We all are. I had seen your mother kissing another man at that party and used it as black mail... she decided to come clean... I'm so sorry I lied to you, baby... I just thought by doing so I would be protecting you." I cupped her face as she let her tears fall.
"Don't leave me." She sobbed into my arms.
"I'm so sorry." I sniffle.
"Luke, I love you." Danielle plead.
"And I love you. I'll be back someday." I promise.
"Luke, I don't want to have a day go by without you." She gripped onto me tighter.
"Life will go on, my princess. I will come back for you. I need to help my family, but I don't want to leave you either, baby girl." I kiss her temple repeatedly.
I let her cry herself to sleep in my arms. I did not sleep that night, I just held her and took in her beauty, for I know there will be many days I will not see it.
