Page 36 of Daddy Erik
She doesn’t argue. She simply nods and hands them over, trusting me without question.
I kiss her forehead, a simple brush of lips that lingers too long. “I’ll be back soon.”
Her voice is soft. “Be careful.”
I always am. But I’m more careful now because she needs me alive.
Claire
The afternoon is quiet, and I rest in Erik’s bed, wrapped in one of his shirts, the blanket pulled to my chin. I asked Leander to take the afternoon off and close up the shop since he had worked late last night. Grace has helped me expand mybookshop online, which has really started to help with the sales. I could rest this afternoon because I worked on that while Erik was gone.
My body feels warm and heavy, milk surging stronger in the evenings, a fullness that borders on overwhelming.
When the front door clicks, I sit up.
Erik steps inside, his expression thoughtful.
“How is Leif?” I ask immediately.
“Better already,” he says. “His fever broke an hour after he drank it.”
I blink. “That fast?”
He nods once, slow, controlled, and conflicted. “It shouldn’t be possible.”
Something cold brushes my spine. “Does this… concern you?” His eyes meet mine.
“I don’t know what it means yet,” he answers honestly. “But I know this: your body is doing something extraordinary. And I will keep you safe, no matter what.”
My breath catches, not because of fear, but because of the way he says that he’ll keep me safe because of this discovery.
I’m glad to help a family member, but this has become something concerning for us both, and I’m hopeful that whatever is happening stays safe, as Erik emphasizes.
Sunday Dinner
The Halvorsen family is warm, loud, and filled with laughter, and the smell of grilled meat has my mouth watering. Grace is still glowing as she sits next to Bjorn who is at the head of the table, laughing, her bump poking out a little more after she justfinished a rather large meal, while her father fusses over her plate, attempting to get her to eat more.
Sven grins when he sees me, waving wildly. Leander sits beside him, proud as a puppy.
I pump discreetly under a blanket while conversation hums around me.
Bjorn freezes; he looks at Grace, then back at me. Then slowly he smiles.
“Family grows in all kinds of ways,” he says roughly.
Grace squeezes his hand. Erik sits beside me, thigh pressed against mine, posture protective. His hand rests on my back, thumb brushing small reassuring arcs.
Leif arrives late, looking rested and healthy.
“Feeling better?” I ask.
He smiles. “Miraculously.”
Erik shoots him a warning look. Leif raises his hands. “Hey, I’m not asking questions.”
He glances at the blanket draped over me, blushes slightly, then looks away out of respect.
Sven leans in. “This family is wild,” he whispers to Leander.
