Page 7 of Blissful Devotion

“Pack up some stuff for Addison and meet me at the airport.”

“What’s going on?”

“Just trust me.”

The line goes dead before I can respond, and I look up to find Vince watching me.

“Leaving?” he asks, clearly having heard Desmond.

“It would appear so.”

Addy sleeps through the ride and most of the eight-hour flight, leaving the rest of us to our thoughts.

Desmond had met us at the airport, but he was still very hush-hush about what was going on. All we knew was that we were flying to Italy to leave Addison with my mother and father.

I spent the entire flight one second away from insanity, the urge to demand answers sitting heavy on my tongue.

But I managed to hold myself back. If he was keeping things quiet, I’m sure there was a reason why.

When Addison did finally wake, she was excited; she loves her Nonno and Nonna. It was the most like herself I’d seen her since we walked into that hospital room two days ago.

“Look, Daddy! Nonno and Nonna are here!” Addison all but shouts in my ear as she leans against the window, waving like a madwoman.

I look over to Desmond, who sits opposite me, his gaze far away for a moment before he seems to feel my eyes on him.

He flicks his eyes up to meet mine, and I don’t have to ask to know he’s set everything up; I can see it written in his eyes.

When was the last time I saw my son put-together, calculating, and meticulous?

Never.

I get off the plane with Addison as Addison’s luggage is loaded into my parents' car.

Addison hardly lets me get both feet on the ground before she’s out of my arms and running into my mama’s.

“Sorry about the little notice.”

Their solemn faces let me know Desmond had already filled them in.

“Nonsense, you know we’re always happy to have her.” Mama offers me a kind but sad smile, and I have to look away, unable to handle her pity.

“Be good for Nonno and Nonna, princess.” I close the distance between us and press a kiss to her forehead.

Her big blue eyes lift to meet mine, and I see the hesitation, the worry. Neither of which I want for her. I’ve done my best to always do right by her, to be the best person that I can be, and to give her the best.

Have I failed?

“Are you going to get Mommy?” Her lip wobbles at the mention of Kat, and I know it pained her to even ask.

“Of course.” The words come without a second thought, and the smile that lights up her face gives me a flicker of hope and love.

“I love you, Princess.”

“I love you, Daddy!”

The second their car pulls away, I’m back on the plane, and we're once again barreling down the runway.

“What the hell is going on, Des? Where are we going?” I try to control myself, but even I hear the strain in my voice, the desperation.