Damon felt like the biggest jerk in the world. This was her first Christmas without her mother. He should be the one helping her make it through the holiday. Not the other way around.
Why was his family acting like he and Grace were still together?
He looked at his mom. "They still don't know?"
"Know what?" Steven and Matt asked in unison.
Damon ignored them, he just studied his mom's face.
"Grace didn't want me to tell them." She gave a small shrug and a soft smile. "She knew you'd need their support and didn't want to influence that."
Damon's heart pounded a little harder in his chest. He recalled sitting with Grace in what used to be his mom's diner. After calling his mom and aunts social creatures, he said Faith, Hope, and Charity emulated their names.
So does Grace.
She had every reason to hate him, but she didn't. No wonder Paige hadn't chewed him when they video chatted and Gabe hadn't shown up to beat the crap out of him. Grace was bearing the heartache he'd caused her all alone.
"Tell us what?" Steven repeated.
He didn't want to tell them how badly he'd treated Grace, but they were going to figure it out eventually. "I broke up with Grace."
A chorus of "What?", "When?", and "Are you crazy?" surrounded him.
After everyone quieted down, Matt asked Mom, "Is that why she's always here at Fischer House when we arrive then leaves soon after?"
"Wait." Damon's head popped up. "She's been coming with Mom each week even though I told her I didn't want her here?"
He knew she accompanied his mom again last week because she texted him that she was here and would love to see him if he changed his mind. He’d ignored her text.
Yes, he wanted to see her but knew that would only make it harder to let her go.
"Well, duh." Isabella rolled her eyes. "You didn't think we'd make your mom travel alone, did you? You know how she hates flying and trying to figure out how to get around in big cities."
Grace was here. Every time Mom was here.
“So she was here earlier this week?” His chest grew tight, knowing she’d sacrificed so much for him.
Itwasher laughter I heard a few days ago. Did she also sit by my bedside while I napped?
She’d danced through his dreams a few times while he was still in the hospital. Her angelic voice speaking words of encouragement and love.
The knowledge both thrilled and pained him. She really did love him. But that didn't change the fact that he couldn't give her what she wanted; what she deserved in a man. Especially when he was struggling so much with everything.
"What about her job?"
Mom shrugged. "She rearranged her schedule to only work three days a week, instead of four."
"Who takes care of Lily?" Then Damon held up a hand and answered his own question. "Paige and Gabe." When Mom nodded, he asked, "What does she do here all day?" He glanced around the room. There was a TV but little else.
"She studies."
Right. She was working on her doctorate. And because of him, she traveled to Maryland with his mom each week. The woman was amazing.
"Why would you break up with her?" Steven looked at Damon like he was crazy.
"Because she deserves better." He ground the words out.
"Says who?" Maria asked, confusion written on her face.
