Chapter 9 Dimitri leaves shortly after dinner and Anna and I spend the evening together. We read books, play with toys, but toward bedtime, she gets very quiet. I assume she's tired until she melts into my lap and I feel her head. "You're warm, sweetie pie." "Cold," she answers, snuggling deeper into my body as she tugs on her ear. "It hurts." I wince, lifting her in my arms. Heading into the hall bathroom, I find a swipe thermometer and brush it over her forehead. Numbers flash and finally pop up on the screen. Shoot. She's got a fever. "Over a hundred," I murmur. Picking up my phone I realize it's almost nine. Pressing a few buttons, I dial Dimitri and wait as the line rings. He picks up on the second ring. "Milaya?" "Hey. Sorry to bother you." "You are never bothering me. What do you need?" I feel heat slide through me at his words. Even my relationship with Cadence doesn't feel like this. If I'm being honest, things have been weird with Cadence lately, even before she disappeared. Longer stretches of not talking, her hinting she needed a change, telling me that I needed to start getting out, start really living life. I sigh. "It's Anna. She's got a fever, and she says her ear hurts." "Damn. I knew it. Give her the Children's Tylenol in the medicine cabinet. I'll call the emergency line and make an appointment for the morning." "How much?" I ask, seeing the bottle on the shelf next to where I found the thermometer. He gives me the dosage and I nod along as Anna buries her face in my shoulder, giving a soft little groan. "Oh, sweetie pie," I coo. "You'll feel better soon. Promise." Dimitri is quiet on the other side of the line. "Go ahead and give her the dose. I'll wait." "I know you have to work," I say as I take the bottle down, removing the dosing cap. "It's fine, Ava, you'll know all of this soon enough, and besides, I like hearing your voice." I give the bottle a one-handed shake and then remove the cap while still holding Anna. I almost correct Dimitri that I'm only here for a few weeks, but I purse my lips instead as I pour out the medicine. I know why I'm here, what I want to accomplish. But is it wrong that part of me is really enjoying being in Dimitri's house, next to his strength? It's like exhaling after holding my breath for a long time. I almost tell him that I love his voice on the other end of the line too. That it makes me warm, but I hold my tongue as I bring the little cup to Anna's lips. She drinks down the medicine and then curls back into me. I coo, rubbing her back as I snuggle her to my chest, giving a soft bounce of comfort. Dropping my cheek to the top of her head, I start for her bedroom. Dimitri makes this back of the throat rumble. "I wish I was there with both of you." The words are so...intimate. I let them wash over me. I wish he was here too. I am in so much trouble. "Does the fever change bedtime?" "Most likely, yes. Especially with the earache. It helps to keep her upright." "All right," I nod along with Dimitri's words. "I'll be home as soon as I can." "Home," I repeat, looking around. This place, for all its grandeur still feels way more like a home than my place ever did. Maybe it's the way I can feel Dimitri's strength in the furniture, or the fact that he clearly loves his daughter so much. Or how the kitchen is stocked with healthy and delicious meals. I hug Anna tighter. "Are you all right, sweetheart?" he asks into the line. How can this be the man Steve talked about? He's full of contradictions that just don't make sense. "I'll be fine. I'll see you soon?" "Soon," he murmurs. I hang up, hating to let him go. Taking Anna into her room, I get her settled into her pajamas, grab a blanket and return to the living room, where I snuggle us into a recliner. With her body molded to mine, I wrap her in the blanket, rubbing her back. She's restless at first, shifting as she tries to get comfortable. After a bit of fussing, she falls asleep. Kissing her head, my own eyes get heavy. We're warm and cozy, her weight on my chest a comfort. It's been the craziest day. I haven't learned much about Cadence, but it's only one of the many mysteries I can't tease out. What I really need to do is learn more about the man I live with. He holds all the answers I need. Not just about Cadence. Or even what kind of man he is. I'm beginning to realize, I have a lot to learn about myself too.