Worth It (Damie)

Part 7

A/N: I'M BAAAAACK!!! Thank you for your patience as I was gone, and for all the love and encouragement sent to me while away! You guys are the sweetest. It means the world to me! As a thanks, here's some fun in Finland. Hope you enjoy ;)

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Dakota and I have spent a few lovely days with the girls since her return. It's hard for us to go out in London without being caught, so we improvise on what to do with them at the house. It doesn't matter our plans, I love seeing her sit in the middle of the floor playing dollhouse with them and smiling as she reads them bedtime stories. She's going to be the perfect mum, but in the meantime my girls are lucky to have her as an influence. She brightens every room she enters—her spirit is contagious.

The doorbell rings, breaking me of my admiration. It's time for the girls to go home. Dakota stays to help them clean up their toys and get their bags together as I answer the door. No surprise Amelia is alone to pick them up.

"Hello, James," she says.

I nod. She never calls me Jamie anymore. Not that I give a fuck either way. "You can come in for a minute."

"Is she still here?" She looks behind me.

"Yes. She's back." I emphasize it so she knows we didn't go, but that my girl returned for us.

"From where?"

I sigh. "Paris, don't play this game."

She rolls her eyes. "Are they ready? I need to be on the road soon."

"Girls," I call out.

I hear their footsteps as they make their way to us. Dakota trails behind them, stopping beside me. I wrap my arm around her waist to stake my claim.

"Say goodbye," Amelia tells them.

I let go of Dakota to kneel and hug both of my girls. I breathe them in, imprinting their scents until I can hold them again.

"Daddy loves you, and he had so much fun this week."

"Love you, Daddy," Dulcie says, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Be good, okay? Call me often and I'll come see you soon. I'll miss you until then."

She steps back and wipes at her eyes. "I miss you, too."

I choke back my own tears. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Daddy is always here even if we're not together, you understand?"

She nods. I kiss her curls and move to kiss the baby's soft hair.

"I love you, munchkin. Be good to your sister. You guys have to take care of each other."

She rubs my beard with her tiny hands. "Dada."

I usher them away, standing up again. Dakota wraps her arm around my waist this time.

"Bye Kota," Dulcie says. "I miss you."

I watch Amelia's reaction and am surprised when she doesn't explode.

"I'll miss you too, pretty girl. You can call me anytime."

"Tomorrow?"

Dakota giggles. "Of course. Whenever you want."

Amelia lifts the little one to carry her out and she waves her tiny fingers.

"Kota. Dada."

"Thank you," Amelia says, looking between both of us.

I wrinkle my forehead, taken aback by her gratitude.