She nods. “It’s fine.” Her head shakes away her look of disappointment, which she attempts to hide with a halfhearted smile. “You have to work.”

“And you need to be with your dad.”

“Right.” She blows out a long breath. “Speaking of…we should probably be heading back soon.”

“Hey,” I say, moving to crouch before her. “It won’t always be like this.”

She nods and then bursts out with the most anguished laugh I’ve ever heard. “Yeah. Soon, he’ll be dead.”

“Li’l Bit…” I shake my head, forcing back tears. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but—” Fuck. I don’t even know how to finish that statement. I’ve never lost a parent. To tell her it’ll all be okay or that it’ll get easier with time would just be me spewing a bunch of bullshit.

“It’s okay,” she offers. “Sometimes there’s just nothing to say.”

“What can I do?” I ask, my heart shredded from the pain darkening her eyes.

“You’ve already done it,” she smiles, reaching out to comb her fingers through my hair. “You’ve given me the most precious gift. You gave me a memory with my daddy I’ll cherish for as long as I live.”

“You’re giving me far too much credit.” I bring her fingers to my lips. “Marrying you was no sacrifice.” I press a kiss over each of her knuckles in tandem. “Don’t make me out to be some martyr, love.”

I pinch her chin in my thumb and forefinger, holding her gaze to mine. “Marrying you is and will forever be the highlight of my life. While I’m happy it worked out that you got your moment with your father, I don’t want you to ever feel indebted to me or think of this marriage as anything less than everything I’ve ever wanted.” I scrape my lower lip through my teeth, giving my bride a thorough once-over. “You are my most prized possession and certainly not fucking charity.”

Her lips warble. “Okay,” she says, nodding through a torrent of tears.

“Come here, sweet girl,” I say, pulling her from the bed and into my chest so I can hold her close. “You’re everything to me.” I smooth a hand up and down her spine.

“It feels wrong,” she says, lifting the neck of her shirt to dry her eyes.

“What does?”

“To feel so happy.”

“You can feel more than one emotion at the same time. They aren’t mutually exclusive. Being happy we’re together doesn’t mean you’re any less upset over what’s happening with your dad.”

Her head bobs lightly in a silent nod. Her fingers pressed to her lips like she’s deep in thought.

“I’m leaving in the morning, but it won’t be like it was before. You’re mine now.”