“How could I ever even think about marrying ...” She stops herself, rubbing said finger. She shakes her head almost as if fighting with her conflicting emotions.
Conflicting emotions about who she thought Josh was, and who he turned out to be.
“I know, Mom. I mean, I knew he wasn’t amazing, but to do something like that ...” She nods, and I stop as the solemn look on her face grows more and more. She looks at me as I grip her hand. “It wasn’t your fault, Mom, and I’m so happy you stood up for yourself.” Her shoulders droop, but I continue. “Honestly, I hated that we were drifting apart. You’re all I really have left, and Josh was getting in the way of that. For a minute, I thought he had convinced you to forget about me.” I chuckle sadly as she shakes her head.
“No, honey. I’m sorry you felt that way, and I’m sorry for not being the mother I’ve always been with you. I’m sorry I brought ...” She doesn’t continue as she presses a closed fist to her mouth, then she takes a minute to let out a shallow breath.
“We’re gonna get through this, like we always have,” I say, and a small smile graces her face.
“Just you and me,” she finishes. I hear some cars pull up to the house. We both look out the window and watch as the Parker clan brings bags of food and other things.
“Not anymore,” I mumble as footsteps draw closer. Ana rushes to Mom while William gives me the biggest bear hug, histwentiethin the past twenty-four hours—but I don’t complain. Liam comes in a second later with some muffins and smoothies, and I can’t help the small grin that blooms on my face. William pulls back as he looks behind him, clapping Liam on the shoulder when he gets close enough. A small laugh escapes me while Liam proceeds to wrap his arms around me, muffins and all.
He gives me the much-needed sustenance as he wraps his arm around my waist, and I smile up as he bends to give me a peck. “How are you feeling, Freckles?”
“I should be asking you that. You haven’t gotten any rest.” He gives me a look, and I sigh, being truthful. “I’m processing. I’m happy Mom’s okay, but I’m in shock at everything that’s happened. So, processing is the best way to describe everything I’m feeling.” He nods and gives me another kiss on my forehead before I whisper, “You know, I realize I haven’t thanked you for being there yesterday.”
Arching an eyebrow, he chuckles sadly. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always be there to defend you.” His hands gently cup my face and another small smile graces his lips. “You, my darling Freckles, are the love of my life. They’re gonna have to take me kicking and screaming away from you. I’ll always be wherever you are, no matter what.” I lean forward, hoping he never ever feels like I don’t love him.
“Guess you’re stuck with me,boyfriend,” I say, a smirk spawning on his face at that last word, and I giggle.
“I’m pretty good with that,girlfriend,” he says, and a dorky smile comes onto my face.
We join the circle of adults, and my mind goes back to the whole whirlwind that’s been my life. Josh called my cell phone from the county jail, but I refused to pick up. I told Mom about it, especially concerning the email she got from his lawyer. There’s a trial date coming up, but she’s refusing to go. We provided all the evidence to the police necessary to put him away. She broke the engagement and filed a restraining order against him, in case there was a chance he would make bail. The thing is, Josh made us sell the house back in Philly, pocketed all the money, and paid for everything here.
So, now, we basically have nothing, and that’s what I think she’s most afraid of.
Starting over from zero again.
“You have no idea how sorry I am.” At that, my ears perk up, and Mom starts to sniffle. “I thought ... I didn’t know Josh wouldever ...” An agonized sound comes from her, and my heart aches as tears slide down my face. William and Ana try to comfort her, but she doesn’t let them. So we all stand there as she finally lets herself fall apart. “I had gone into his office and I heard him talking to someone over the phone. He saw me, and for the first time, heyelledat me. Told me to get out. I stood there, and he came close, trying to make me leave. Foronce,I fought back, and we started arguing.” Her voice wobbles and I close my eyes at hearing Mom in pain once again. “Then, like always, he started talking about you guys. How you were a bad influence on me, and how Liam was to Bianca. Saying I needed to tell you guys to stay away from us. I told him no, and he got so angry, and then he said I either cut you guys off or he would.”
I open my eyes to see Ana and William embracing her. Walking over, we all hug as emotions are at an all-time high, but after a bit, Liam speaks up.
“Ms. Kate?” We pull back and Liam grabs my hand and hers. “Please come live with us until you figure everything out.”
Her bottom lip wobbles slightly and he squeezes my hand in reassurance as I wipe tears from my face.
“You shouldn’t stay in this house any longer,” Ana says.
“We have more than enough room for you both. Kate, you’re more than welcome to stay as long as you need, even after Bianca and Liam head up to college in the fall,” William finishes, and we wait a beat before Mom nods shallowly, and then nods more vigorously as she covers her mouth with her hands. Liam hugs her.
“You’re truly something else, little man.”
He chuckles as he pulls back, smiling at her. “That’s all you, Ms. Kate.”
She grabs my hand, glancing between us. “You got yourself a good one, Bianca.” A slight blush comes across the tips of his ears.
“I really do, Mom.”
He looks down at that and Mom shakes his hand to make him look up at her. “You love and cherish her, you get me?” He smiles and looks into my eyes, making me see every swirl of green in their depths.
“Always, Ms. Kate,” he promises, and I can’t help but smile. For once, I’m not scared for the future because I know ...
I know he’ll always be by my side. Bianca and Liam—forever and ever.
EPILOGUE
BIANCA
