Halliday wrinkles her nose up with a soft laugh. “I can’t talk about that with you. It’s… weird.”
“Baby,” Molly says, pointing at Halliday’s stomach.
“Yes. Baby.” I stroke her gorgeous dark curls. “It’s exciting, isn’t it? A new life.”
Halliday reaches over to fuss Monty where he’s sitting on my lap, then places her hand on my forearm.
“Are you okay?” she asks as Molly slides off her chair to pick up a crayon that’s rolled onto the floor.
“I’m fine. It was just weird seeing him in person. I recognized him from the photos, but he just looked… I don’t know… normal?”
“You thought he wasn’t going to because you’d made him out to be this monster in your head that your mom was deceiving your father with?”
“Exactly,” I say, looking into her understanding gaze. “He just looked sad. I guess I always thought of him as the enemy,but seeing him today…” I blow out a breath. “What they did was wrong. But he loved her. I could tell how by the way he looked like he’s been suffering. None of us have survived these past two and a half years without scars.”
“Scars are marks of what we’ve overcome, signs of strength,” Halliday says, squeezing my arm reassuringly. “Here.” She reaches into her purse on the floor and takes something out. “It helps aid in times of emotional overwhelm.”
She presses a crystal into my palm.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, studying its shiny black surface.
“It’s black tourmaline. It creates a protective shield around the bearer.”
“Like a bodyguard,” I muse, taking in the sensation of it in my hand, and the way it’s dark, inky surface matches the suit of a certain hulk who’s been by my side through everything.
“How are things between you and Denver? Sterling’s been concerned about throwing you both together.”
I look up into Halliday’s worried gaze.
“It’s fine. Dad doesn’t need to worry. Denver and I are getting along fine.”
Halliday’s expression softens and she glances at my father.
“Good. He’s been worried knowing it’s not what you wanted. But he does everything out of love. You’re everything to him. You, Sullivan, Molly, Mal…”
“And you and the baby,” I add. “He was a mess before you came along.”
“I love him so much,” Halliday murmurs, more to herself as she gazes at my father adoringly. “So, you and Denver? It’s all okay?” She turns back to me.
“Yep. We’ve gotten used to each other.”
Her eyes thin into slits. “You said he has no personality. I thought you couldn’t stand him.”
“He’s grown on me.” I shrug, playing down the way my heart lifts as Denver glances our way again. “And Monty likes him.”
“Hmm, okay.” Halliday’s assessment of me ends and a smile transforms her face as my father and Denver walk over to us.
“We’re going to take Molly home with us for dinner. Sullivan’s going with Mal and the boys to pay Neil a visit,” my father says to Halliday.
“Oh. You don’t want to go with them?” she asks.
His eyes soften, and he shakes his head. “No, they’ve got this. And you said you were tired earlier. I want to make sure you take it easy.”
“I’m fine. I’m just pregnant.” But as she protests, she fails to hide the weary tinge in her voice.
My father’s eyes warm as he gazes at her. “I know, Baby girl. So let’s get you and Molly home.”
The fact that my father is happy to leave the others to deal with Neil tonight is testament to how much Halliday has changed his life. He’s looking forward to the future again, instead of being stuck in limbo with the pain of our family’s past.
