Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Malyshonuk,” her mom scolds. “Why? We would have helped you.”
“She didn’t need help,” I say, and all eyes now fall on me. “Can’t you see how perfect Arwen is? She’s not even three, and yet she signs like she’s ten. She’s brilliant, and it’s all her mom.”
Audrina’s face floods with color. “I learned everything from you, Maeve.” Her voice is small. “I just did everything you did for Ingrid.”
My sister perks up beside me. “And you did great,” she says and signs.
Mom has to hold the counter for support, but my dad isn’t far from her. He wraps his arms around her waist, holding her to his chest. Even with the tension in the room, no one could ever question how much my parents love each other. I learned everything I know from them. Well, I take that back. My dad isn’t an asshole; that’s a chemical imbalance that’s only mine. With a shaky voice, my mom asks, “You hid my baby’s baby from him?”
Audrina’s smile falls off, and I instantly go on defense. I drag Ingrid to Arwen before pressing my temple to my daughter’s head. Once I know Ingrid has her, I walk over to Audrina. I don’t touch her, but I stand nearby so she knows I’m there.
Before either of us can answer, Anya snaps, “You not only chased her away, but you knocked her up?”
Audrina holds up her palms, sighing deeply. “I know this is a lot to take in, and I can’t even begin to apologize for the pain I’ve caused all of you.” Her eyes settle on me, and I give her a small smile. “I never meant for so much time to pass. I was scared and didn’t know how to come back.”
“So, if Thatcher hadn’t found you, you would have kept his child from him?” Mom asks, and I flash her a look.
“We aren’t doing this. Between the two of us, we have had enough what-ifs. All that matters is that Audrina and Arwen are home. Arwen is so excited to have her Babas and Dedes in her life. Please don’t let my daughter down by holding her parents to their mistakes.”
“We’d never,” Dad breathes. “We are just trying to figure out how this happened.”
“Again, when a man loves a woman—”
“Ingrid!” all four parents bellow.
“Enough,” Dad scolds, but Ingrid just grins. “I am floored, Thatcher.”
“I know. I’m sorry for that, but Arwen is all that matters.”
Mom’s eyes burn into mine. “How are you not upset?”
“I am,” I answer honestly. “I hate that I missed everything, but that’s not going to keep me from being in their lives now.”
I feel Audrina’s eyes on me, but I hold my parents’ gazes.
“I’m so confused,” Dad admits, and William nods.
“It’s a lot to take in.”
“I understand, and I’m sorry,” Audrina says softly. “I hope you know I never intended to hurt anyone.”
Mom’s lips draw down. “Oh, sweetheart, we know. It’s not who you are. But then, I never thought you’d hide my son’s child.”
“Mom,” I warn, and her eyes flash to mine.
“Am I wrong?”
“No,” I answer. “I never thought she could do it either, but she did it out of fear, and that’s my cross to bear. It’s my fault.”
“But we lost time with her too,” Dad says, looking between us.
“But Thatcher obviously hurt her enough to warrant this,” William says. “She wouldn’t have run and hid for no reason.”
“Dad,” Audrina almost pleads. “Everyone, please. Let this be between Thatcher and me.”
I don’t think anyone hears her, because William asks, “Are you going to make an honest woman out of my daughter?”
Before I can say, “Name the time and place and make sure Audrina shows up,” Audrina shrieks. “What? Dad! This isn’t the 1800s in the middle of Russia. We don’t need to get married because we have a kid.”
Anya isn’t having that. Her face is beet red as her eyes set on me. “So, you knock my daughter up but won’t marry her?”
“That’s unfair, Anya,” Mom snaps. “Why would he want to marry someone who hid his child?”
“Why would she want to marry someone who forced her to run and hide a child?” Anya throws back at my mother.
“It’s obvious they’re both at fault,” my dad says, trying to reason with everyone. “As I said, they’re adults. We have to trust they know what they’re doing.”
“Don is right. We raised them the best we could,” William adds, running his hands down his face.
Anya doesn’t agree. “But if he hadn’t broken my daughter after knocking her up, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“You’ve been pushing them together since they were born!” Mom accuses her. “I told you they’re better as friends.”
This is getting out of control.
Ingrid snorts. “And this is why I’ll be your cool older aunt who won’t marry, so I can take you all over the world and away from all this crazy,” she signs and says to Arwen. I don’t know if Arwen knows what she’s talking about, but she looks at Ingrid like she hung the moon.