She struggled with what she wanted to do, and I tried to be supportive, because at the end of the day, it didn’t matter where we were. All that mattered was that we were together.
“You’ve got to take those opportunities,” Pops said. “We’re proud of you for doing it. And we support Cutler if he decides to open up ROD there and close the office in Blue Sky Bay. Because what matters most is that you two do whatever you need to do to be together.”
I was lucky to call these two my parents. They’d always been supportive and loving, no matter what was happening in my life.
“I haven’t said anything, because I’ve got it handled, but Tara called a few days ago,” I said, catching them all off-guard. It wasn’t something I talked about often, but I’d realized I didn’t need to keep it to myself. My parents had dealt with her manipulative behavior when I was young, and Gracie was very familiar with her popping in and out of my life over the years.
“What did she want this time?” Pops asked.
“She wanted more money,” I admitted as I scratched the back of my neck. “And I realized that I’d given her money a few months ago for the wrong reasons.”
“What do you mean?” my mom asked, her eyes wet with emotion.
“I was doing it for myself. I’m not proud to say that I think in a way I wanted to impress her. To show her that I’d done just fine without her, and that she’d messed up by walking away all those years ago.” I shrugged, and my gaze locked with Gracie’s as she smiled the slightest bit. She’d reminded me many times that I didn’t need Tara’s approval, which wasn’t something that I could buy. “And I realized that I don’t resent her for leaving, because look where I am. I’ve got the most incredible family and the most incredible girl. I’m not lacking in any area of my life, and I don’t need the approval of a woman who doesn’t know anything about me.”
“That’s very true,” my father said, his eyes filled with compassion as he looked at me. “And if you keep giving her money, I don’t think it’ll ever stop, unfortunately. But I don’t judge you for having a big heart, Cutler. I’m proud as hell of you. But you sure as shit don’t need anyone’s approval, least of all Tara’s.”
“Agreed. And it’s a tricky situation, because she’s your mom too,” my mother said.
I took her hand in mine. “That’s the thing, Mama. I don’t feel that way at all. And it hit me when she called the other day, because she told me that she has COPD from years of smoking. And I didn’t feel the way I thought I would. Instead, I felt irritated, like she’d never taken care of herself, nor cared for anyone else. But when you were sick, I felt like I’d lost a limb. I was angry at the universe because it wasn’t fair. Because you’re the most amazing mother and friend and sister and wife. You are my only mother. My Sunny. I love you so much it hurts.”
Tears were streaming down her face, and I glanced over to see the tears moving down Gracie’s cheeks as well.
“It’s been the honor of my life to be your mother.” She sniffed a few times.
My dad wrapped his arms around Gracie and chuckled. “Nothing like Christmas Eve with the Hearts, huh? We’re a sappy bunch.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Gracie said. “So, what did you end up telling Tara?”
“I told her I couldn’t give her money in good conscience again, because she’s just going to use it for drugs and alcohol, and I wouldn’t take part in that. But I sent some groceries to her house, so she’d have food in her refrigerator. And I didn’t do it to prove anything. I did it because I’m able to, and that was reason enough.” I shrugged.
“How did I get so lucky to call you mine, Cutler Heart?” Gracie said, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
“I’m pretty sure I claimed you when we were five years old, and you finally got on board after all these years.” I winked at her.
“I don’t know about that, but I’m definitely on board,” she said.
My parents both chuckled. “Well, seeing you two together is the best Christmas gift you could have given us,” Mom said.
We stayed up late into the night opening presents and making new memories.
And tomorrow we’d be doing the same thing with Gracie’s family in Cottonwood Cove.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gracie’s family was large and loud and lots of fun, and I’d always felt like I was home when I was here. My uncle Bridger had offered us his helicopter so we could make it there much quicker this morning, so we’d made it here to open gifts at her grandparents’ house. Gracie had always been close with them, and they adored her.
They’d made a big deal about us being together, as I’d grown up around all of them.
“So our little Gracie finally ends up with the right guy,” her uncle Finn said as he gave me a pound with his fist. “Welcome to the family, Beefcake. Well, I guess you were already a member, but now it’s more official.”
“He’s always been part of the family,” Hugh, another uncle, said as he looked between us with a big grin on his face.
“I always knew you’d end up together,” Gracie’s aunt Brinkley added.
“I’m the one who told you that I thought they were more than friends.” Georgia, another aunt, let a loud laugh escape before turning her attention to her niece. “Remember when you confided in me in high school that you had a big crush on Cutler?”
“What?” I feigned surprise and tugged my girl closer to me. “You had a crush on me in high school? Was this before you were dating Bowie, the Virgin King?”
