#Chapter 51: Sick on the Plane

Agnes Hearing Thea cry, even over something as small as not wanting to leave vacation, made my heart break. “Oh, baby,” I murmured, dropping to a crouch and pulling her into my arms. She melted into me instantly, her little body shaking as fresh tears soaked into my shirt. I held her close, rubbing small circles on her back as I tried to think of what to say. “I know it’s hard to leave when you’re having such a good time.” She sniffled, pulling back just enough to look at me with those big, glassy eyes of hers. “It’s not just the fun stuff,” she said, her bottom lip quivering. “I like it when you and Daddy are together. It feels like we’re a real family.” My breath caught, her words hitting a little too close to home for comfort. Sighing, I brushed a strand of dark hair away from her damp cheek and did my best to swallow the lump forming in my throat. “Thea, we are a real family.” “But not really,” she said stubbornly, a little hiccup breaking throu