Wyatt shrugs with indifference, although there’s emotion in his eyes. “You deserve to be happy, El.” He pauses. “You got the paperwork, right? Your divorce was finalized?”
I slowly nod. Iris’ lawyer helped me to get everything sorted. Since Jacob and I had been legally separated for the past fewyears, the divorce was granted without any issues. We didn't have a waiting period before signing the paperwork. Things are different in each state, and thankfully the state we were married in finalizes within seven to ten days.
I am finally free from that man.
“Good,” he says softly, his chin dipping. He steps closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders to pull me closer to him. “Everything will be okay, little sis.”
I hug my brother, my eyelids falling shut as I hold on to this moment with him. Wyatt has always been the biggest supporter in my life and I know he means what he says. “Thanks, Wy. Thanks for always being here for me.”
“I always will be. Even if I’m not here in person all the time, I’ll always be here for whatever you need.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon with my brother before he heads back to Iris’. After Chloe goes to bed, I find myself back in front of my canvas. I spend the rest of the evening painting, well into the middle of the night until I'm past the point of exhaustion, falling asleep with a paintbrush in my hand. When I finally resurface from my work, I realize Chloe will be up in a few hours and then it's time for us to start our routine all over again.
At least I have her... I'll always have her.
“There’s my little sweet pea,” Iris smiles, reaching her arms out for Chloe.
Chloe releases my hand and sprints through the living room, climbing up onto the couch with Iris before slipping into her arms.
Iris has been doing well and so far, everything has been going on schedule with her healing.
“Rose said as long as everything is good, I can leave a little earlier tonight, that way I’m not late coming to get Chloe.”
My brother walks into the living room, tucking his hands into the front pockets of his shorts as he leans against the doorway. “She’s fine, El.”
I look at Iris, watching her love on my little girl, before looking back at my brother. “I know. I just don’t want it to be too much, you know?”
Although Iris has been home for a couple weeks now and seems back to normal, I don’t want Chloe to hinder her healing. Wyatt’s been coming back to help with Chloe when Remi can’t watch her and even though he’s the one technically watching her, I don’t want it to be overstimulating for Iris.
Iris’ eyes flash to me. “She never is,” she assures me, wrapping her arms tightly around my daughter. “Plus, Chloe loves being here with Grammy Iris, don’t you, sweet pea?”
Chloe nods her head eagerly, burying her face in the crook of Iris’ neck. She’s been missing her, somethin’ fierce and I know the two of them being together like this is probably better for Iris’ mental health.
A smile works its way across my lips. “Okay, well if you need me to come earlier, I can.”
Wyatt walks over to me, squeezing my shoulder. “We’ve got it, sis.”
Walking over to Chloe, I press my lips to the top of her head before doing the same to Iris. “Thank you for everything,” I whisper to her, my eyes slowly searching hers.
Iris reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’ve always been like a daughter to me, El. I love you and Chloe, even Wyatt like you are all my own. You never have to thank me for doing what feels right and natural to me.”
Tears prick the corners of my eyes and I swallow over the lump lodged in my throat. “We love you too.”
Iris gives my hand one last squeeze and I blow kisses to the three of them before leaving a little piece of my heart in her living room. Emotion encapsulates me on my ride to work and I’m so grateful for everything in my life.
There were so many times I doubted I could have this, but here I am.
Surrounded by love.
Safe and secure.
The bar isn't as busy tonight and Rose has been handling the few tables we have while I bartend. We're already past the dinner rush and things are starting to quiet down with only a few people occupying the barstools. I say goodbye to a couple as they rise from their seats and thank them while I begin to collect their empty glasses and wipe down the counter. As I'm moving the cloth over the surface, a familiar face sits down in front of me.
“Hello, Ella.”
My heart stops in my chest and Vera lowers herself into the seat directly in front of me. Kennedy, her assistant, sits down beside her. Since the incident with Jacob, I've been ignoring every call from them both.
“Hi, Vera. Hi, Kennedy.”
