Shit. I never expected her to be here, but suddenly, just knowing that she is has given me even more confidence. When I have Sara around, I know I can conquer anything.
I’m doing this, no matter what.
“What a lovely surprise, Sara. It has been way too long.” Liz says, holding her face between her hands. “Is the news they’re keeping from us that you’re taking our baby girl away from us again? Where to this time?”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to worry about that.” She smirks, giving me a cheeky side eye as she takes the empty seat.
“Then what is going on?” Liz frowns. Her gaze bounced between all of us. When no one speaks fast enough for herliking, she stands and bangs her palms down on the table. “Will someone please explain to me why we have been beckoned here? You’re all acting like you’re sat at a funeral.”
“Funny, because that is exactly what it feels like,” Fallon mutters under her breath.
“Sit down, Liz. They’ll tell us when they’re ready.” My dad states, but I notice the way his eyes are trained on Max.
Does he know?
“Fuck it,” Max announces from his seat. “Lucy and I are together. We tried staying apart for your benefit, and your benefit alone, and we can’t do it. We are just as much in love now as we were when we were teens. If you can’t deal with it, then this is the last time you will see us.”
My eyes well up at his words as I gaze up at him. This bold and brave man loves me, and he isn’t scared to let the world know it. God, it makes me love him even more.
“No…” She begins to say, her face a mask of complete horror. “You… you can’t do this. Not again. What will people say?” She cries out.
So, this is going down exactly the same as last time. Great.
“They will say, ‘Why don’t Liz and James ever see any of their children?’ Because that is exactly what will happen. You would have to be bloody stupid not to know how much these two love each other. So, you accept it, or lose us all.” Tommy says sternly from his spot at the table. “I wonder what will look worse.”
My mouth drops open in shock. I knew he would stand up for us, but I never expected him to take it this far. How the hell did I ever become so lucky to have people this amazing around me?
“Fallon!” She yelps. “You can't be okay with all of this… this, ridiculousness.”
“From what I can see, the only one who is being ridiculous is you. Are you really more bothered about what other people say than Lucy and Max’s happiness?” Fallon asks, an incredulous look on her face.
Liz’s eyes zero in on my yet again, very quiet father.
“Did you know about this?” She seethes. Her hand is trembling as she picks up her glass of wine and drains the lot.
“Not exactly. But as Tommy said, I’m not blind, love.” Dad says, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. “Is it really that bad? We raised some amazing kids. I couldn’t ask for a better man to be with my daughter.”
Liz begins to stutter. At a guess, I’d say she’s panicking at what my dad is insinuating.
“Oh, come on, Liz. We all know you love Lucy like your own. Bloody get over yourself and let them bloody be.” Sara adds, raising a brow at her. “You weren’t there to pick up the pieces last time you did this to them. I was. That girl cried day and night for months, so much so that she nearly got kicked out of one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. All because of you. And if you dare to stand between them again, I’ll make sure she never steps a foot near you or this house again.”
Holy shit.
This right here is why Sara is my best friend. The happiest, most carefree woman in the world. Until you mess with the people she loves. Then you get to see a whole other version. I haven’t seen it often, but when I have, it has been enough. She is loyal to a fault, and the reason I love her so fucking much.
Liz is a pale woman as it is, but right now she is damn near grey.
“I’m sorry.” I squeak out, every face turning to look at me with their mouths hanging open. “I never meant for it to cometo this. But I won't be apart from him. I can’t. It nearly killed me last time, and I’m done with putting everything and everyone else before my own happiness.”
Max takes my hand in his, lifting it to his mouth to kiss before squeezing it tightly.
“Our happiness.” He adds, smiling down at me.
“What’s it going to be?” He asks.
Liz just stares at us, but there is no emotion behind her eyes.
“I…” She starts, before my dad interrupts.
