Page 73 of The Addendum

“Nope. It suits you.”

“Then get it right. It’s Lady Peepee. And I can’t believe you met our half sister and have nothing to report.”

“I said she was tall. I didn’t know she was related. I would have taken more notes.”

“Fat lot of good you are to me.”

He chuckled then sobered. “Dad, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

I ran a hand through my hair, grateful for their usual banter. “I don’t expect any of you to say anything. I know it’s unexpected and a shock. It has been to me and your mother—” I picked up Katy’s hand and kissed it “—who has been a pillar of strength for me.”

Penny smiled, glancing at her mother. “She is for all of us.”

“What do you expect from us?” Matthew asked, his voice cool.

“I expect nothing. I have no idea what is going to happen. I don’t know if she’ll reach out and try to have a relationship with me or any of you.”

“What if we don’t want one?” Matthew asked, his usual calm nature absent.

“Why don’t we see what happens before you decide that?” Katy asked.

“Ever heard of condoms, Dad? STIs have been around a long time—were you always that careless?” Matthew asked. “Should we expect other siblings to pop up?”

I grimaced at his question, his words too close to what Gracie asked. Katy squeezed my hand in warning, but she leaned closer to the camera.

“Careful, young man. That’s your father you’re speaking to. The man who has supported you through every bump in the road your whole life. All of you,” she added, her tone stern.

Matthew looked chastened. “Sorry. I was just asking. It’s the doctor in me.”

I cleared my throat. “I always used condoms. I assume one failed. It happens.”

Matthew huffed. “Yeah, it does.”

“I was always careful with the women I dated. I was clear on what I expected from a relationship, and the fact that I didn’t want kids at that point in my life wasn’t something I hid. The only person I fell in love with and wanted children with was your mother. I was always covered and safe.”

I could see his anger deflate at my words. “Okay, got it.”

I scrubbed my face. “Listen, I know this is out of left field. I hated telling you on a Zoom call. I hated to have to tell you something like this at all. I’m not proud of the man I was before, but I can’t change that. And you have the right to feel however you want to feel. Be angry at me. God knows your sister is.”

“Gracie?” Penny asked.

I nodded. “Furious. She won’t speak to me.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” Penny murmured. “I know that must hurt.”

I nodded, unable to speak for a minute. In the hours since I’d told her, the urge to go see her had been strong, but Jaxson cautioned me against it. He brought Kylie around for a visit, and although not surprising, Gracie’s absence felt huge.

“Leave her for a couple of days, Richard,” he advised. “A lot of angry words were said, and she needs to sort it through in her head.” He paused. “She will figure it out. She loves you too much not to.”

I could only hope he was right.

“I’m not angry,” Penny added, bringing me back to the present. “We have such an eclectic family, what’s another one? If Luc is in love with her, she must be great. You said Heather liked her too, so I’ll withhold my judgment and make up my own mind.” She smiled at me. “Gracie will come around, Daddy. You know she gets emotional. And now she has to share you with someone else. She won’t like that.” She laughed.

I smiled at her, wishing I could hug her. She was right—Gracie and I had a bond that was unique and special. And until now, one I thought unbreakable. I had to trust in that fact.

Gavin spoke. “I’m not mad either, Dad. Surprised, yes. But like Lady P, I’ll make up my own mind if she decides to get to know us. She’s right—what’s another one in the mix?” He paused. “How do you feel about this?”

I rolled my head on my shoulders, releasing some tension. “Confused. Frustrated. Worried. I understand why she is so angry, but I have no idea how to convince her I didn’t desert or ignore her. I simply didn’t know.”