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"Thirty-five years ago, Claus was handed over to children's services, because he tried to kill Jakob when he was a toddler. The family couldn't cope. It started off with the execution of bugs, and the pet rabbit, leading up to his brother."
"How was he registered dead if he clearly is alive?" asks Clay.
"While in the safe unit, there was a fire. Several kids died that night, and because Claus wasn't found alive, he was pronounced dead. How? We're looking into it now. We have two detectives working a separate case on it as we speak. The chief is going to speak with Tracey about it when she gets here."
"So, why the girls? Why Aria?" Caleb asked.
I feel numb. Finally having answers to some unanswered questions should be a relief, but I can't help but feel empty.
"I think the girls were in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s going through psych evaluations now, and several things have been picked up. He picked girls that looked like his mother. He has a deep hate for her. Also, he wanted to be a hero like his brother. He wanted to show his brother that he could be in the media just like him, only not for the same reasons. He will never see light of day again."
"He wanted to be loved," I say for my own benefit.
"Aria." Caleb wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face into my neck. I can feel his warm breath on my skin, and it give me goosebumps. "It's over."
"How can any parent leave their child in a psych unit alone?"
Caleb holds me tighter and I feel myself being swayed gently. The rocking motion is enough to keep my mind from wandering. Finding out the truth has opened up a lot of questions of my own. A lot of questions I doubt I’ll ever be able to answer.
I don't know how long we stand here for, because when I turn in Caleb’s arms it's just the two of us. I’m emotionally drained. I could probably sleep for a week. I haven’t been sleeping properly since Sharlynn was born. I haven’t been able to shut off my rambling thoughts. I guess it’s now time to look to the future and try to get over all of this for real.
"Thank you for sticking by me. I wouldn't have got through any of this without you."
"It has been my pleasure. I love you, Aria. "
"I love you too. Maybe we should get back out there."
“You don’t have to. You’ve gone through enough. No one will hold it against you if you want to take Sharlynn to bed.”
I shake my head. “Today should be a happy occasion. We can’t keep letting him take happy moments from us. My whole pregnancy was taken away from me, Caleb. I want to start living. I want my daughter to see the person I once was. That won’t happen if I keep shutting myself away.”
Caleb nods. I take his hand and walk us back out to the living room. Clay is sitting on our couch with Sharlynn in his arms. Everyone has gone, and the area is cleared of there ever being a party here.
"I sent everyone home. I thought you all need some time and space to process everything."
I clear my throat. "Thank you, Clay. I... I appreciate it." I sit down beside him and watch my daughter sleeping peacefully. "I need to ask this now we're alone."
I look between Clay and Caleb, and Caleb comes to sit on the table in front of me. "What's wrong?"
"Now we know who did it. Now we know who Sharlynn’s biological father is, does he have rights over her? Does his family have rights? I don't want them in her life. As far as I'm concerned, she's yours, and she'll be brought up to know that she's yours. I just..." I look down at my hands. "I can't have them in her life as a reminder. I'm hanging on by a thread at the moment, and the only thing getting me through it is you guys and her."
Caleb dips his head and lifts my chin with his thumb. "He'll never get near Sharlynn, or you, for that matter. He'll rot in hell. As for his family, with what we heard in there, I can't see there being any concerns with them being interested in her. However, we can seek legal advice. Maybe get something in writing to put your mind at rest. I'll investigate it. Don't worry about any of it, okay? I can promise you that you and Sharlynn are my priority, and nothing and no one will ever hurt either of you again."
"And I can always get my gun back out and shoot any assholes that want to come near her," Clay jokes, but for some reason, I think he's deadly serious.
"Language," Caleb scalds his brother, and I laugh.
For the first time in so long, I genuinely laugh. I find this pair amusing at the best of times, but right now, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
"And on that note, I have some calls to make." Clay hands Sharlynn to Caleb and kisses the top of my head. "If you need uncle duties just call me."
"Thanks, bro."
Caleb holds our daughter in his arms. It's weird saying our daughter, but I need to get used to it. What Caleb is doing is a remarkable thing. He isn't just taking on me, he's taking on someone else's child.
"Come on, little lady. Let's get your momma to lie down for a little while. "
He holds his hand out for me and I accept it.
Years ago, I would never have thought I needed a man to take care of me, but now, I need Caleb more than the air I breathe.
