“We are nearing a majority share, as a family, when you add Cian and Sariah’s piece. We’ll need to find a way to make the shift inside the company, but you need to be apprised of where this is headed.”
Majority share? Where this is headed?
“And where is this headed?”
Ayla comes to stand next to me in front of another exhibit. “This is heading toward you having control of your lab and of your research. This is heading toward you making sure your brother—and our mom—can live long, healthy lives.”
The pressure of their love, their commitment, their belief inme might as well be a weight around my neck. I buckle, my hands cradling my face, and sob.
Ayla’s gentle hand skating along my spine is replaced by another. It’s larger and warmer. Its touch is more comforting.
Shuffling around me gives way to me wrapped up in my husband’s arms.
“You… You… You.” I cling to him as if he’s the buoy so I avoid drowning. “You bought me a lab?”
Liam chuckles. Ayla laughs, and Christian lets out a sound like air leaving a balloon. “Not exactly. We bought you the opportunity to do the right thing, by a lot of people.”
Into my hair Liam adds, “And to show the world that glorious brain of yours in action.”
I press up onto my toes and press my mouth to his, smiling through the tears as I kiss him.
“See? Genius,” he whispers against my lips. “Do you think, if the data isn’t stolen, that Dr. Patel would want to be a part?”
My eyes go wide, and I’m sure my face belies my surprise. I nod with such fervor, my hair slings alongside my cheeks. “I do,” I whisper. “I think he would be thrilled. Thank you,” I say quietly to him. It’s about the lab and the shares and the dreams, but it’s about so much more. It’s loving me, seeing me, knowing what makes me tick, and choosing to lay it at my feet. Spinning in the circle of his arms, I offer the same to the couple in front of me. “Thank you. I— There are no words. That’s a lot.”
“I told you, if money can fix your problems, you don’t have problems. And I have money, so…”
“So, let’s fix some problems,” I finish.
“Fix that one first.” She points over my head to her brother before winking. I don’t know if the gesture is for me or for him, but it doesn’t matter.
He’s not a problem. But the growing length at my spine is.
“On it. Love you. We better go.” My words are rushed out, as I try to push Liam toward the door.
Christian leans forward and drops a chunky fob in my hand. “Here.”
“I like you. I love you both, but this is a key fob. You justbought a pharmaceutical company. I draw the line at a car.” I lift it between us in offer, not knowing what universe I live in when, in one day, Liam has flown to meet my parents to ask their blessing, I get confirmation that my dream has legs and funding, and my brother-in-law wants to offer me a car.
“That’s where you draw the line?” Ayla asks on a giggle as Liam speaks from behind me, “That’s not from Christian.” His voice is low but very near my ear.
I spin in a slow smooth circle, staring into the eyes of the man I love, alight with humor. “You bought me a car?”
He bites that plump lower lip as his beard twitches from controlling a smile. “You said I could.”
“I said you could do the research and test drives.”
“I did.”
“And you bought one?”
He nods, his eyebrow ring glinting in his brow raised in challenge.
“And what if it wasn’t what I would’ve chosen?”
“What would you have chosen?”
Hands planted firmly on my hips, I retort, “I don’t know.”
