I let the tears fall, not just from the pain of my parents’ response, but from the comfort of knowing that even if I’ve been disowned by them… I still have a family, one who loves me, for me.
My chest rises in a shaky breath as I cling to Paige’s words, trying my damndest to absorb the truth in them.Even with her support, a part of me still hopes that my parents will come back. That they’ll be okay with the news I’ve given them.
Then my eyes shift, drawn to the quiet sound of movement beside me.
My kids.
They’re still here, still standing with me, watching with glistening eyes. I blink, just to make sure I’m not imagining the warmth on their faces.
They’resmiling.
Not the forced, polite kind. Not strained. Not awkward. But warm, real, and so full of love it hit me harder than any rejection ever could.
They’re proud of me.
Not mad. Not disgusted. Not disappointed.
Happy. Proud.
I sob even harder. Henry just grins at me, rolling his eyes like this wasn’t a life-shattering moment I just thrust upon them. A revelation that was long overdue.
“It’s about damn time, Dad,” he says with a teasing smirk. “I was tired of having to pretend you’re straight.”
I blink. Confused. “You… you knew?” Then I remember the comment they made when my parents were throwing their hateful words at me ‘it's about time you told us’. They knew.
Alice laughs softly, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Of course we knew. It’s kind of hard not to. You’re not exactly subtle.” She tilts her head, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. “Just like we know you and Mr. Jefferson are more than friends. You’re together.”
My stomach drops, but before I can panic any more over the fact they know, she adds, “It’s so obvious, Dad. The longing stares? The soft smiles when you thought we weren’t looking? The way you lit up around him? Yeah, we noticed. And we don’t care. We’re just happy that you and him can finally be a real couple.”
My son nods in agreement, grinning wide. “We figured you’d tell us when you were ready. And honestly… we’re just glad you finally did.”
I sat there, stunned, every breath catching like I’m trying to relearn how to breathe in this new air—one filled with honesty, acceptance, and something I never expected to find tonight: peace.
Paige’s arms remained around me, grounding me, but it was the faces of my children—smiling through their own tears—that cracked my heart wide open.
I’m not alone and maybe the love I have in this room is enough.
I have them.Even if Jefferson doesn’t want me back, I have my family. And well…there’s still Bradley. The man I never expected to develop feelings for.
Henry clears his throat, the sound soft but somehow commanding. Paige and I give him our full attention, watching as he shifts in his seat and sits up a little taller, his shoulders squaring as if he needs to brace himself for what he’s going to say.
"Since this dinner has apparently become a night of revelations and secrets," he begins, his voice steady but cautious, "I think it’s time I share one of mine too."
No one moves. Alice reaches out, squeezing his hand comfortingly, a knowing look between them.
He glances around, meeting each of our eyes with quiet determination. “Though… mine hasn’t been a complete secret. Not really. But ithasbeen one from the family. Except for…” His eyes flick over to his sister. “Except for Alice.”
“Okay,” Paige says gently. Her ever present encouragement radiating off of her. “Out with it, then. No matter what it is, we’re here beside you. You’re our son and we love you no matter what.”
“Even if I’ve committed murder?” he asks, his face suddenly morphing from playful to serious before cracking under our gaze. “Just kidding.”
“Not funny,” I groan. “But yes, we’d still love you. We wouldn’t be pleased with your choice, but we’d love you, nonetheless.”
He smiled faintly, almost nervously. “I know that. I do. But the main reason I haven’t said anything before now is…” He hesitates, a small breath escaping his lips, as he gestures toward the direction my parents left in. “It’s because of Grandma and Grandpa. I knew how they’d react. And, well—tonight kind of proved my point.”
A hush falls over the room again.
Paige reaches over and slides her fingers between mine, gripping tightly. Her hand is warm, solid and grounding. Together, we wait for whatever is about to come next.
