Winter Hopes (Seasons of Love) (33 page)

Lydia felt her heart stop in her chest for a moment, then take off with a pounding gallop. “Don't you threaten me,” she breathed.

“I'm not threatening you. I'm telling you what can happen.”
Matt's voice was as cold and harsh as the winter winds that blew outside the window. “What just
might
happen.”

“
Don't. Threaten. Me
.” She stared back at him and her fists balled
at her sides. “You want a fight? You'll get a fight. So I'd think it
through long and hard before you threaten me again. I mean it.”

“Mamaaaa!!” Andy called out again.

Lydia and Matt stood motionless, glowering at each other.

“Mama mama mama maaaamaaa!” The sound of Andy's footsteps came pounding down the hall, and the boy shot past his
father to go to his mother. Breaking the intense moment, Lydia scooped Andy up
and kissed the top of his head, breathing in the precious scent of
him. Her eyes slipped closed as she fought to seem calm.

“Mik,” Andy said. “Wan mik.”
Want milk.

“Okay, baby. Come on, we'll get you some milk,” she cooed
quietly
into her little boy's ear. She kissed his cheeks several times. “Then you're going to go have a wonderful Christmas with your daddy,
okay? Okay. Let's get you a drink.” Not releasing Andy, she shoved her way past Matt to carry their son to the kitchen.

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