It wasn’t a lie, exactly. They weren’t my kids, but they also were.
Erin’s expression was stunned. “Uh….”
“My partner is their father,” I explained.
As if summoned, I could see Law’s SUV make a hard turn into the parking lot, and barely stop before the love of my life burst out without stopping to help Marlie out.
She was big enough to do it herself, though, so I wasn’t worried.
Before Erin could gather her wits, I heard the front door, then saw Charlie vanish and the door opened again as he went to gather Marlie. Law stepped into the dining room, his eyes wild as he sought me and Erin out.
“It’s okay, baby,” I told him, and he deflated with relief.
The suspicion in his gaze didn’t go anywhere, though.
He strode across the room to me and leaned down to kiss me on the lips as he squeezed the back of my neck in the way that had become comforting to me.
“You sure?” he murmured, never looking at Erin, instead opting to stare into my eyes, searching for something.
I smiled at him. “I’m sure. You can pull up a chair though, if you want.” Not because I needed him there, but because it would make him feel better.
“Okay.” He smiled back, relaxing even further. Then he turned to Erin and held out his hand. “Mrs. Young, I’m Lawrence Caldwell.”
I snorted softly. I’d never heard him call himself that.
My mother, confused about my snort but unable to not be polite, shook hands with him. “It’s nice to meet you.” It sounded like a question just enough that I let a chuckle slip.
The way her eyes went cold at that would’ve given me chills only a few months ago. Now, I leveled her with a gaze that made her eyes widen in surprise.
“So, why are you here, Erin?” I asked pointedly.
She gasped softly, and for a few seconds she looked as if I’d slapped her. She was about to open her mouth when Charlie and Marlie came in.
Marlie, being the sweetheart with fewer social skills than her siblings, didn’t stop to read the room. She just handed her backpack to Charlie, kept her head down and walked to me. She rounded my chair because Steve was still hogging one side, and hugged me.
“Hi, Oak,” she said, smiling.
I kissed the top of her head. “Hi, Marlie. Did you leave Ranger at the vet’s?” I made an educated guess.
“Uh-huh. We needed to hurry back when Uncle Charlie texted Dad, and there was an emergency before us.”
“We’ll get him once we’re done here,” Law murmured softly as he made himself comfortable between Erin and me.
“Come on, kiddo, snack time,” Charlie called out to her.
“Okay!” she said easily, then patted Steve on the head. “Be a good boy for Oak. He’s important.” Then she walked to the kitchen doors and vanished inside with Charlie in tow.
I fucking loved these humans.
Turning my attention back to Erin, I raised my brow, and waited.
“Yes, well, you see.” I almost waited for her to wring her hands, and then she deflated a little. “We haven’t been able to get in touch with you on the phone and we need you at home. Your grandfather has been diagnosed with—”
“Let me stop you there,” I said firmly. “I don’t have a ‘grandfather;’ I have Gramps. Just like I have Grams. Your parents. They’re also the grandparents of those kids having a snack in the kitchen.”
“What do you—”
“I mean that I am not a Young anymore. My name is Oak Mulligan now, Erin. I am not a child of yours or Bart’s anymore. I don’t want anything to do with you two.” Before she could speak, I lifted a hand to stop her. “Now, if any of my siblings ever need to get away, try to find a shred of decency within yourself and give them this address to come to. We take in strays here, people whose families don’t love them the way Jesus meant.”
