Chapter 48:
Kael didn't let go of Lily for a long time.
He carried her inside. He sat down on the couch with her in his lap. He didn't say anything. He just held her.
Lily let him. She put her head on his chest and her hand on his face and she didn't ask any more questions.
Marisol stood in the doorway.
"What happened?" she said.
I looked at her.
"Long story," I said.
"Short version?"
"Reese is alive. She's got a daughter. Kael's daughter. Her name is Hope. She's nine."
Marisol sat down.
"Holy s**t," she said.
"Yeah."
"Holy shit."
"Yeah."
Marisol looked at Kael.
"He's gonna be okay?"
"I don't know."
---
Lily fell asleep on Kael's chest.
He carried her upstairs. Put her in her crib. Stood there and looked at her.
I stood in the doorway.
"Kael," I said.
"Mm."
"Come do
