Nicole pov I turned the small lamp down low, leaving the room in soft shadow, and walked out into the narrow corridor. I closed the door quietly behind me and stood straight. Tate was standing just two feet away, his broad shoulders resting back against the wall.The apartment was completely quiet now, the quiet night wrapping around the closed doors."Thank you," I said softly, looking up at him."They are mine, Nicole," Tate said, his voice deep. "There is no thank you needed for taking care of my own blood."I looked at his face. The cold, blank mask he had worn for years was completely gone, replaced by a raw, open look that I was still trying to adjust to."Maple called you dad," I whispered, the words hanging between us."Yes," he said, a small, genuine smile touching his lips. "He did.""Without me telling him to do it," I said, shaking my head slightly. "Without me setting it up or preparing him. He just said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.""I know," Tate
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