But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life dependent on them for everything.
Sienna has her art gallery.
Victoria has her interior design business.
I want something too.
I stare out the window at a hovering butterfly. It almost looks as if it has spotted its own reflection in the glass and is trying to be friendly.
Moira spots the butterfly too when she enters the room. “The soul of someone close to us wants to come in.”
I snap to attention and watch her closely. I don’t miss Cash shaking his head warning her that this isn’t a good time. “What do you mean?” I ask.
Moira places the changing mat on the floor. “The Irish believe that if a butterfly follows you, it’s someone departed trying to let you know that they’re here.”
“Danielle,” I whisper. “I found tiny stars on her grave today.”
Moira smiles. “She’s trying to tell you something.” She and her sons exchange glances. “And I think I know what it is. Are you going to tell her?” she asks her sons.
“Tell me what?”
Cash swallows. “We’ve been sitting on this for a while but weren’t sure if you were ready.”
“But when you said you wanted to visit Danielle’s grave today,” Bash joins in, “we realized that now is probably the perfect time.”
“Perfect time for what?” My pulse is racing and sweat is pooling between my breasts and trickling down my spine.
“Maybe we should just give you this.” Bash slides a document from the back pocket of his pants and hands it to me. “Read it. It’s for you.”
I unfold the crisp paper with trembling hands.
I barely finish reading the words at the top of the document before my vision blurs with tears. The Danielle Jones Drug Rehabilitation Center.
“We bought the premises six months ago,” Cash says. “We’ve been renovating ever since.”
“But it’s ready to open whenever you want,” Bash adds. “Your call.”
“But…” The twins. College. I don’t know the first thing about running a center. I don’t even have my degree yet.
I shake my head.
“Yes, is what she means,” Moira says, firmly. “I’ll take care of the babies while you finish college, Remy.”
“And Isabella has agreed to run it on your behalf and teach you the ropes when you’re ready to take over.” Cash shrugs with a gentle smile. No pressure.
“She has?”
My two beautiful men kneel in front of me and hold my hands.
“You’re the best mom to our babies,” Cash says.
“You put everyone else’s needs before your own.” Bash raises my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “So, we thought it time that you put yourself first.”
“We know you want to finish college, Remy.” Cash’s thumb makes a circle pattern on the back of my hand. “We want you to finish college.”
“But… the center… it’s too much.”
I’m still trying to process it, but some part of my brain can already picture it, is already thinking about the difference it will make to so many lives. The difference it would’ve made to Danielle if only she’d gotten the chance.
