by JC Cassels
“Are you sure you can leave him?”
“I wouldn’t have been able to leave him with anyone else.” She moved to the side of the bed and gazed down at her son, memorizing his features. “Everything you need is in his bag,” she said. “I’ve even included instructions and his medical history. The rest is up to you.”
Kneeling on the bed, she leaned over and kissed her son good-bye.
“I love you,” she whispered in Gallic, her native language.
It felt as if gravity had suddenly increased exponentially. With great difficulty, Bo rose and moved away. She faced Chase for the last time. Bracing her hand on his shoulder, she rose up to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“I promise you, Marissa, er, Bo, I’ll take good care of him,” Chase said. “Just one question – what’s his name?”
Bo pulled the hood over her head and lowered the concealing veil. “I’ve called him Chase.”
He flushed a little and canted his head. “Are you in love with me?”
“I wish I were,” she said. “I love you, Chase, but I’m not in love with you.”
“Despite everything, you still choose Dev?”
A maelstrom of emotions roiled inside her. None of them were warm.
“No,” she croaked. “If I ever see your brother again, I’ll kill him.”
He nodded. “I know the feeling. He has that effect on people. Stay safe…Bo.”
“You too.”
With one last look at the sleeping baby, Bo squared her shoulders, turned and walked out of the hotel room, secure in the knowledge that no matter what, her son would be raised by someone who loved him.