The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 442

Zoey tilted her little head to the side. "That was before. This is now. Things change."

Jamie tapped her tiny nose with his index finger, chuckling. "You know a lot for someone so little. Who taught you that?"

"Mommy!" Zoey declared proudly, pointing a finger at Suzie.

Then, she looked back at her mother with big, pleading eyes. "Mommy, can he come with me for the checkup? Please?"

Suzie kept her voice soft but firm. "Zoey, come down from there."

"Oh, okay." Obediently, the little girl slid out of Jamie's arms and stood straight as an arrow in front of her mother.

Suzie stroked her hair. "Mia and Oliver are going to hang out with your brothers. I'll take you in for your checkup."

Zoey immediately pouted, looking deeply wronged. "I know, Mommy. I know I have to be good and listen to you. But... I really want him to come with us. Can he? He brought me to the hospital like a hero today, and my nose stopped bleeding so fast..."

Suzie opened her mouth to shoot the idea down again, but Jamie beat her to it.

"Don't be so hard on her. She's just starting to feel better," he murmured to Suzie.

Before she could argue, he turned back to Zoey. "Come on. I'll carry you in for your checkup."

Zoey didn't move an inch. Her eyes darted nervously between Suzie and the floor, like a child who knew she was toeing the line and waiting for the final verdict.

Seeing her daughter's pale little face, Suzie couldn't bring herself to be strict and ruin her mood again.

Seizing the moment of hesitation, Jamie scooped Zoey back up. "Let's go."

His voice was softer than Suzie had ever heard it. "Listen to me, Zoey. If you lie down and bravely do this scan, I'll buy you a whole castle."

But instead of being excited, Zoey's little shoulders began to shake, and she burst into quiet, heart-wrenching sobs.

Suzie shoved Jamie out of the way with her elbow, leaning down to wipe her daughter's tears. "Why is my brave princess crying? Are you scared of the big machine? Or do you just not like castles?"

Zoey sniffled, her chest heaving as she looked up. "I didn't want to say it. I was scared it would make Mommy sad."

"You'll never make me sad," Suzie soothed, her heart aching. "I love hearing whatever you have to say."

Taking a shaky breath, Zoey looked at Jamie through her tear-filled eyes. "He said he'd give me a castle. But I don't want a castle. I just want a daddy. Can he give me one?"

The words hit Suzie like a physical blow. She froze, frantically trying to think of how to comfort the child. But before she could speak, Jamie did.