“When?” I manage. “When are you bringing us home?”
“As soon as I can arrange it. A week, maybe two. I need to get things settled here first, make sure the transition is smooth. But after that, you’re coming back to New York. The boys deserve to grow up as part of the family. And you deserve better than what Victor did to you.”
Tears burn behind my eyes. “What about Cassian?”
Julian is quiet for a moment. “What about him?”
“He’s still looking for me. Or he was. What happens when I come back, and he finds out?”
“We’ll deal with that if it happens. But, Aurelia, you can’t stay in Ireland forever just because you’re afraid of what might happen. The boys need stability. They need family. And you need your life back.”
“He’ll know they’re his the moment he sees them.”
“Then we make sure he doesn’t see them. I’m not Victor. I’m not using your children as weapons or leverage. But I am going to protect them, and I’m going to protect you. Trust me.”
“Okay,” I say quietly.
“Good. I’ll send details once everything is arranged. Helena will help you pack.”
“Thank you, Julian.”
“You’re my sister. You don’t have to thank me.”
The next week passes in a blur as Helena and the nannies help me pack what we have. Clothes for the boys, a few toys they can’tlive without, and the drawings Finn has taped to every surface in their room. I don’t have much. All these years in Ireland and I still feel like I’m living out of a suitcase.
Julian sends a car to take us to the airport, and Helena comes with us. She says Julian asked her to stay on as the boys’ caretaker, and honestly, I’m relieved. The twins love her, and I don’t know how to navigate New York society anymore. I’ve been gone a long time.
The flight is long.
Finn falls asleep twenty minutes after takeoff, his head on my shoulder and his mouth open. Liam stays awake longer, watching the clouds through the window and asking questions about New York.
“Will we see tall buildings?”
“Yes, baby. Lots of tall buildings.”
“Will we have friends?”
“I hope so.”
“Will we meet our da?”
The question stops me cold. Liam is looking at me expectantly with those green eyes that are so much like Cassian’s.
“Someday,” I say, because I can’t lie to him. “But not right away.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s complicated.”
“That’s what you always say.”
He’s correct. It is what I always say, because how do you explain to a five-year-old that his father is a dangerous man who doesn’t know he exists? That seeing him could put all of us in danger?
You don’t. You just deflect and hope they stop asking.
“Get some sleep,” I tell him. “We have a long day ahead of us when we land.”
Liam settles back in his seat, but I can tell he’s not satisfied with my answer.
