Thank you for joining me in the third book of the Shina series. I hope I continue to bring you an enjoyable reading experience.

I looked down at Lucas as I held him within my arms. Barely a few months old and already he had so much hair, soft blonde fluff that I loved to run my fingers through whenever I could. His dark-brown eyes were already showing hints of green around the edges, reminding me somewhat of the eyes my father had when I was younger, before everything happened between him and mom.

Walking over to the rocking chain, I sat down and began humming quietly to the cooing baby as he waved his arms at me, bringing a soft smile to my lips. Hearing the floor gently creak near the doorway, I looked up to see Leon standing there with a loving smile on his face as he watched us.

Looking back down, I watched as Lucas slowly closed his eyes, the cooing sounds he made slowly quieting into soft breathing as he fell asleep. I smiled at Leon as he carefully took our baby from me and kissed his forehead before placing him into the nearby crib, carefully tucking the blankets around his tiny form.

"He's growing so quickly, Leon. Before we even know it, he's going to be crawling everywhere. Then walking, running, rushing into a future we might not get to be part of." I whispered to him with slowly, my eyes closing as I recalled bits of memories, having watched a pair of children grow up already in my life.

"It won't go that quickly, Shina darling. But even if he does move on without us someday, I won't leave you. I'll never leave you, no matter what happens." The possessive kiss he gave me after saying this drove it into my mind that he meant every word.

Leon planned to never let me go. I was in his grasp and he would never loosen his grip on me. Although a small hidden part of me flinched deep inside my mind, the rest was smiling happily at him as he slowly pulled back.

"Come with me, we can watch a movie together while Lucas is sleeping. How about Phantom of the Opera? You always enjoy that one."