“You know my separation was messy,” she countered, flicking a flustered glance at Sunny. “I wasn’t in the right frame to mind to…”
“Whistler,” stated Liam flatly, crossing his arms.
“On an extended skiing break in Whistler. Enjoying the slopes of Canada while your own flesh and blood had their world shattered.”
“My therapist,” Morgan flailed. “She said I needed a break, a change to scenery, to preserve my mental health, to…”
That’s when the girls came marching into the kitchen, concern etched on their little faces.
“We heard shouting,” said Maddie, looking sullen.
Hailey stood shoulder to shoulder with her sister.
“Oh, it’s okay honeys,” said Sunny, rushing over to them and kneeling down. “The grown-ups were just having a talk, and things got a little excited.”
Neither girl looked convinced.
Sunny looked from Liam to Morgan, her eyes pleading for peace.
Liam ran a hand through his hair in his trademark way, but remained silent. He looked at his sister.
Morgan let out a long breath.
“Miss Thomp…Sunny…is right, sweeties,” she said, in as saccharine a voice as she could muster. “Sometimes grown-ups can act like children.” She threw a sharp look at Liam. “Tell you what, why don’t you show me your toys,” she added. “I want to see the play palace you talked about at the park.”
The girls seemed to perk up at the suggestion and Morgan followed them down the hall into the play room.
Sunny stood up and let out a long breath. Her hands shook as she gripped the countertop.
“Liam, I’m so sorry. I never meant to cause problems with your family.”
Liam turned to her, his eyes softening.
“This isn’t your fault, Sunny. Morgan’s always been jealous and controlling. She can’t stand the thought of anyone else being important to the girls.”
“But she’s right about one thing,” Sunny whispered. “I’m not family. Maybe… maybe it would be better if I left.”
She stared down at her still shaking hands.
“No.” Liam’s voice was firm.
“Youarefamily, Sunny. To the girls, and… and to me. Just because I share DNA with my sister, it doesn’t make us family in the ways that really count. Trust me, she’s the one who proves that time and time again. Family is about more than just blood.”
Their eyes met again. She saw the fierce resolve burning in his irises.
“Let’s just get over this…hump,” he said, looking down the hall. “Then we’ll figure this out. Together.”
“Together,” Sunny echoed.
The word gave her some comfort but she still felt bereft inside. Perhaps Morgan was right to throw the cold water of reality ontotheir lives. Sunny wasn’t the girls’ mother. Liam wasn’t her husband. The events of today made her feel like an outsider once again.
Liam looked at her with concern knitting his eyebrows.
That night, after the girls were asleep, Liam silently slipped into Sunny’s room.
She sat up on the bed, startled.
“Liam!” she admonished in an urgent whisper. “What the hell are you thinking!? Morgan’s still in the house. You shouldn’t be here!”
