Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I agree.
Killian helps me off the sink and it’s then I remember we’re in a church. “Oh my god! We just had sex in a church!”
Killian throws his head back with a laugh. “It’s a good thing we’re married.”
* * *
“Giselle! Sweetie, you look so good.”
I’m standing in the facility staring at my mother, only it doesn’t feel like it’s my mother. She’s glowing. She’s dressed in a pair of jeans and a fluffy sweater. Her hair is straightened. She looks beautiful.
“I look good? Mom, you look amazing!” I try to keep the shock out of my voice but even I can hear it. My mom laughs. Laughs! And it’s not that crazy laugh she used to give us. It’s melodic and genuine.
Killian and I are here to pick her up. The house is ready to move into and it will be our first night spending the night there. I was terrified of how it would go. That she wouldn’t be ready. But she looks so healthy. Is it possible? Is she fixed?
“Where’s Addy?” Mom asks.
“She’s meeting us at the house,” I tell her. “She’s bringing her girlfriend, Kassie, with her for everyone to meet. But if you think it might be too much…”
“No.” She smiles. “I’m so glad you both have someone.” Tears prick her eyes, and I freak out.
“Mom, don’t cry.” My eyes dart around the room for the doctor, my heart picking up its pace. Damn it! She’s going to lose it. “Excuse me, Dr. Burns!” I yell when I spot my mom’s doctor. He gives me a concerned look and comes over.
“She’s crying,” I point out, and my mom laughs through her tears.
“Sarah, you’re leaving today.” Dr. Burns gives her a hug, ignoring the fact my mom is crying.
“She’s crying,” I say again.
“Giselle.” Killian wraps his arms around me. “Your mom is crying because she’s happy, baby,” he whispers.
“But she’s…”
“It’s okay,” my mom says, “Killian is right. I’m crying because I’m happy, but after everything I’ve put you through, I don’t blame you for freaking out. I think it’s going to take some time for everyone.”
Dr. Burns nods in agreement. “We’ve found a therapist for your mother to see three times a week near you guys. Maybe you will consider going with her one day a week to talk things out.”
“That would be great,” my mom says with a smile. “Now, let’s go home. My son-in-law told me all about this beautiful mother-in-law suite. I can’t wait to see it.”
The drive home is spent with all of us talking about everything that has been going on. Olivia being pregnant, Killian and my wedding and mini-honeymoon, my job and the possibility of getting a promotion soon. And then she brings up my dad.
“How is your father?”
Killian and I both go silent. She just got out. I can’t tell her about my dad’s other family.
“Giselle,” she pushes, “I know.”
My head whips around to her. “You know what?”
“About his other family. His other children.”
“Should we maybe go back to the facility to discuss this?”
Mom laughs. “No, I’ve known for years. I’m sorry I never told you. He came to see me and told me you knew. I know you’re angry with him, but I need you to know I forgive him. What I put him through…” She shakes her head. “My being sick isn’t what he signed up for.”
Killian clears his throat. “While I think it’s great you forgive him, I beg to differ. He married you. When he said those vows, he signed up for better or worse. Those times were the worse.”
Mom grins wide a watery grin then leans forward and whispers, “He’s a keeper.”
I get choked up. I try to keep the tears from falling but they spill over anyway. “Yeah, he is.”
“You’re right, Killian, we did make vows, and we did say for better or worse. But we fell out of love many years ago, and instead of letting him go, I held onto him. I was sick and depressed. Scared. He deserves to be happy. And I’m ready to move forward. So please don’t be too hard on him. He tried. We tried. We didn’t make it.”
We arrive at the house and show her around. She loves the mother-in-law suite I decorated. Shortly after, Addy arrives with Kassie, and then Nick, Olivia, and Reed come over with dinner. At some point in the meal, my eyes find Addy’s and she gives me a soft smile. Words don’t need to be spoken. This meal, this moment with our mother, was exactly what we prayed for, for so many years. And it’s because of Killian it was even made possible.
Thirty
Giselle
“So when are you due?” Celeste asks.
“Excuse me?” I glare at her.
We’re standing in the bathroom of Assets. Celeste is reapplying her lipstick, and I’m washing my mouth from having just thrown up. When Olivia found out I briefly worked at a high-end strip club, she insisted we all go and check it out. She’s never been to one, and apparently four months pregnant is the right time to experience half-naked women dancing on poles for the first time. Nick and Killian laughed, thinking she was joking. Olivia pouted. Nick, of course, gave in. So here we are.