She reaches for Willow and coos, "Come here, my favorite girl." She kisses her on the cheek.
Willow's fingers curl around Valentina's hair. She cuddles against her.
Warmth spreads in my chest until my pulse changes its rhythm.
Zara offers, "Want to borrow some clothes?"
"That would be great. Thanks," Valentina replies.
Sean steps into the foyer. In a doomsday voice, he announces, "You're here. Can't wait for this one."
"Yeah. Finn busted through my door this morning." I admit.
"Shit," Sean mutters, and the room goes silent.
Zara cringes. "You two look like you're on your way to a sentencing."
"Pretty close," I mumble.
Zara clears her throat. She orders, "Go before Liam decides to show up here and demand explanations."
I give Valentina a quick kiss. "Stay here until I'm back, Minx."
"Okay."
Sean kisses Zara and the babies, and we leave. We drive to Liam's house in silence. When we enter, the entire front room is full of O'Malleys.
Killian's on the couch next to Nolan. Declan stands near the window, arms locked behind his back. Finn sits in the armchair, his scowl running deeper than before. And Liam stands in front of the mantle, his arms crossed tight across his chest.
"Sit," he snarls, pointing to the empty couch.
Sean and I take our seats.
Liam starts, "You two have chosen an interesting week to lose your goddamn minds."
We don't speak or move.
Liam rehashes the obvious. "You missed the morning meeting. Both of you. Again."
I clench my jaw, my pulse hammering in my head. Guilt flows freely, and I can't turn it off.
"Gee, don't both of you talk at once," Killian snarks.
Neither Sean nor I look at him. We keep our focus on Liam.
He turns his attention to me. "So it's true? You married Valentina Abruzzo?"
Heat slices through my chest. I lift my chin. "I did."
His voice rises. "Why in God's name would you do such a stupid thing?"
I continue to remain silent, unable to tell them the truth.
"Well, say something! Tell us you love her! Tell us you'd die if you couldn't marry her! Tell us something for Christ's sake!" Nolan roars.
My heart hammers harder. I finally say, "You wouldn't understand, so there's no point discussing it."
"No point discussing it!" Liam fumes.
