Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry I had to tell you this. I’m sorry I wasn’t the man I am now back then. I made mistakes. But this is on me, not her. She is not the villain here. The bottom line is, you have a half sister. What happens between her and me is up in the air. What happens between her and all of you? That is between you. But the Grace I know would open her heart and her arms and try.”
I straightened. “Maybe that Grace will show up once you get over being angry.”
She didn’t say anything, her foot pumping in vexation and her gaze frosty.
“I think you should go home now,” I added, my heart breaking at saying those words. “When you want to talk, I’m here.” I softened my voice. “I’m always here, Gracie. That will never change. My love for you will never change.”
I saw the tears build in her eyes, but she didn’t back down.
“Have you told the others?”
“I will later today. I am going to meet Reed and Heather at the airport and talk to them when they get back. I would appreciate it if you didn’t reach out to any of them before I have the chance.”
For a moment, she wavered. I saw her inner indecision. Then she stood.
“I won’t. God forbid I steal your thunder, Richard,” she snapped and walked out of the kitchen. The door slamming behind her echoed in the silence.
I sat down, my legs shaking with the effort of holding my body upright.
“Go after her, Jaxson,” I said. “She needs you.”
He stood. “She’ll come around,” he said, but even he sounded unsure. It seemed her vehemence had startled him as well.
I nodded, closing my eyes. I had never heard Gracie so furious. So cold and biting. Her intense words echoed in my head.
I heard the door shut and felt Katy’s arms wrap around me. I turned into her embrace, exhausted and spent.
By gaining another child, had I just lost my closest daughter?
What would happen when I told the others?
It was a thought I couldn’t bear.
22
RICHARD
Later that afternoon, I told Penny, Gavin, and Matthew on a joint Zoom call. Heather was still on her honeymoon, and I didn’t want to interrupt that. I would tell her when she arrived home.
Once again, Katy was beside me, calm and supportive. Gavin frowned at my news, shaking his head when Penny asked if he recalled meeting her at Heather’s wedding.
“Sorry, Princess Peepee, I was busy dancing with my wife and having a good time. I vaguely recall meeting a pretty girl with Luc—” he admitted, scratching his head — “but nothing concrete. She was tall, I think.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“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.”