Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Allison’s mom and dad don't look so easily convinced, but both of them have the same question for me once the good doctor steps out.
“W-what did he say about a family legacy?”
I stifle a groan, wishing maybe Trap had been real after all. The whole business of my family’s money is enough to drive anyone crazy.
“Maybe that’s a story for another day,” I suggest, but both Mark and Carol sure do seem a little more at ease with me all of a sudden.
And Allison?
Well, she just feels better by the second. Like a man’s true destiny should.
Epilogue
ALLISON
Three Weeks Later
The case, as Dr. Stanton keeps calling it, turns my stomach. But if I’m going to be of any use to Killian, I need to know everything he went through. And being so thorough, especially since the change in Killian, Dr. Stanton shows and tells me everything.
It’s stuff that would traumatize anybody, let alone a little kid Killian’s age. It would be nice if it could be ancient history, something he’d grow out of.
But me knowing what set Killian off from day one helps us both. For a first date, it was hectic. The following days of hospital appointments and a brief hearing before a judge.
A ream of papers to sign, and then it was all done—all the legal stuff anyhow. I thought we had no real place to go until Dad let it be known that he and Mom were giving it another shot. Meaning, I thought Killian and I had nowhere else if Mom and Dad were gonna work on their own relationship.
So, the past few weeks have been a blur, really. I can’t believe it’s been three whole weeks.
“C’mon, he’s here. You coming? What are you doing in there? Allison?”
“Uhhh. Be right out,” I chime, the shiver in my voice echoing off the tiles in the bathroom.
“You’ll be late!” Killian calls back.
It’s a bit late for that warning. Three weeks late, to be exact… But that’s fine. Normal, right?
No. Three weeks late for my period is not normal for me. But given everything we’ve been through, the stress of tonight with Mom and Dad looming…
“Allison, open up. This isn’t funny now.”
The handle rattles, and I unlock the bathroom door. I can’t even recall ever locking when it’s just the two of us here.
“Are you… Are you sure about this?” I ask him, forcing a whine and hoping to change the subject when I see how concerned he actually is.
“About tonight?” he asks, taken aback before rolling his eyes. “It’s dinner with your folks, Allison. We’re not stealing cars or killing anybody. Do you not want to go?”
I know he’d cancel if I didn't want to go, but tonight isn't what I mean.
“I mean, are you sure about this? Being here. About us.”
Poking his head around the door, lifting a towel hanging on its peg, he looks like he's checking for something.
“What are you doing?” I sigh, letting him have his fun if it takes my mind off more serious things, even just for a moment.
“I’m looking for Allison. You seen her in here?” He glances past me and cranes his neck as if he's scanning an invisible crowd, looking for me.
“I’m right here,” I scold him, batting at his chest. “I’m not talking about dinner with my parents. I’m-”
“I know exactly what you're talking about.” He hugs me to him, turning me so we’re both looking at each other in the bathroom mirror.
“I already told you. You and me. It’s a forever deal. Destiny. No matter what happens. Has something happened?” he asks, getting instantly serious.
“I-it’s—”
That’s all I get out before the sound of my dad letting himself in ruins the moment but saves my skin.
Yes, I know how babies are made. No, I didn’t think of it at the time or the hundred other times we’ve done it since.
But tonight’s not the time for maybe-maybe not pregnancies. Dad’s gone to a lot of effort to make tonight happen. It’ll be no surprise when he announces he and Mom are renewing their vows or something equally nauseating to celebrate them really getting back together for real this time.
Mom stayed sober, and it was my dad she called that night I left with Killian. I guess it gave them the time they needed to talk things through… again.
Killian ignores my dad for now, rasping in my ear before he lets me go, “Just tell me you’re okay, and for God’s sake, don’t leave me alone with your parents.”
It’s enough to make me giggle, to remind me I don’t have to doubt Killian for a second, not ever. I promise him I’m fine and wriggle free from his grip long enough to hug my dad.
“We’ve been waiting!” Killian exaggerates for my benefit. “I gotta warn you, though, Mark. I could eat a horse right now.”