“I planned to come over here on Saturday and grovel at your feet,” he whispered.
She looked at me and didn’t say a word.
“Lila, baby, talk to me. What’s going on?” he asked.
He took my hands into his and stayed on his knees before me.
Cole tightened his arm around my shoulders.
Madalyn pressed even closer to me.
I looked at mom first, then at dad. And both of them nodded at me encouragingly.
I opened my mouth and told them.
Told them everything.
Tears trailed down their cheeks.
Even Bronson’s.
Then I watched.
If I hadn’t been watching, I would have missed it.
But a spark of resilience and fire hit his eyes.
He nodded, “Okay.”
I shook my head, “No. Not okay. I’m going to move in with Dad and Mom. And hope for a kidney, but the likelihood of getting one... I won’t put the three of you through that. I need y’all to go. Okay?”
“Go?” he whispered.
I nodded, “They’ve been through enough because of their mom. I won’t put them through anything more.”
“Come on, guys. She’s made her mind up. Time for you to go.” Dad said.
Cole growled, “No.”
“She claimed us, but we claim her right back. No.” Madalyn said.
“Not no. But fuck no. Gave you me. You gave me you. Fucked up. You’ll never know how sorry I am that I spewed my venom at you. But if you think we’re going to abandon you when you need us the most, well, you don’t know us very well then.”
“Bronson... I’ve only got months if that.” I whispered.
Bronson
“I don’t give a fuck. Damnit, Lila, don’t you know how we feel about you?” I growled.
She shook her head, then opened her mouth, but I shook my head.
“Swore I’d never give another woman power over me. But just like in everything you do, you didn’t take no for an answer. You slid in right under my skin, found another opening, and solidified yourself in my heart.” I told her opening up that part of me.
She shook her head, “I’ve only got months, Bronson. That wouldn’t be fair to you or them.”
“Then I’ll take those months. Hell, I’ll even take those days. Cause Lila baby, never having that time with you? Fuck. I’d rather go the rest of my life with the best memories of you than never having you.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “I should have told you that I love you sooner. That way, when you were told this, you could use my love as an armor against the news.”
