“Oh, sweetheart,” her husband Martin says, pulling her into his arms.
After a moment, Maggie composes herself. “So… you what… just called him?” Jack asks, looking at our uncle.
“Yes. I wanted him to know I wasn’t angry. And we discussed everything. We reconnected and Heidi never knew we were speaking again, at least from what I know. Or if she did, Phil never told us,” Walter says. “And I’m so grateful for that time. Even though it was a short few years, I gotthose moments with him. And for a little while I had my brother back.” His nostrils flare, and I know he’s fighting his tears. “We were worried about telling you because, to be honest, Phil worried Heidi would feed you garbage about us,” Walter says, looking at Jack. “Phil worried about you the most with her.”
“What?” Jack asks, clearly shocked. He fists his hands on his lap before shutting his eyes.
“He said you were close to her. You loved your mother, and your dad was proud of how protective you were of her, but you couldn’t seem to hear anything close to criticism when it came to her,” Walter says. “So clearly telling you about us,” he explains, his hand pointing between himself and his sister, “Phil thought you’d side with your mother.”
“But he wanted us to connect,” Maggie interjects. “He told us that we just needed to wait. So, we were trying to give you time. I had your phone number, Micky, and was going to call you.”
My eyes widen. “Really?” I ask. “She never even mentioned you. No one did.”
Maggie nods and smiles. “We were going to call after you took your boards. Walter told me it would be better to wait, the stress of his death, studying and taking the test. I didn’t want to compile the worries. But then you left Washington, and we didn’t know where you went or why.”
“I drove,” I explain. “Mom…”
“Mom slept with Micky’s boyfriend,” Jack blurts.
“Fuck,” Walter mutters. He shuts his eyes and shakes his head.
“It took her breaking my sister’s heart for me to see,” Jack whispers. I watch as he swallows. I take his hand and squeeze it.
“I’m not broken, and you made sure of that,” I remind him.
“She’s toxic and I’m just so sorry it took so long for me to figure that out!” Jack says vehemently. He squeezes my hand and swings my arm.
“You’re both where you’re supposed to be. Mikayla is home now,” Caine says, taking my hand, threading his fingers through it. “Mick needed to get out of there, and I needed her to find me. So, it all ended up the way it was supposed to.” He kisses the top of my hand and places it on his stubbled cheek.
“Well, aren’t you two the most disgusting duo alive,” Jack says before pretending to gag.
“I will kick your ass,” Caine says, narrowing his eyes at my brother.
“Mikayla won’t let you.”
“Wanna bet!” I say, swatting my brother’s knee.
“You’re adorable,” Maggie says, a giggle in her voice.
“Jack is an asshole.” I roll my eyes. What? He is.
“Your dad would be so happy,” Walter says. “He was worried you two would be estranged because of her. But it’s the exact opposite,”he whispers reverently. “Phil would be proud.”
I feel a heaviness lift from my soul, yet a tightness still lingers in my throat. I look at my brother and squeeze his hand, and he smiles at me. The two of us, fuck have we had a bumpy road. But I love him. And he’s been there for me in ways I never imagined possible.
When we sit down at my house for dinner, the mood shifts—there’s laughter and joy. And even though my heart has lost so much this past year, as I look around the table, I realize I’ve found so much more. I have hope now. My heart may ache, but it feels full.
Chapter Forty-Four
Mikayla
“Okay, Mr. Fletcher, that should do it,” I announce after I place an adhesive bandage on his arm. “This time, maybe wear your shoes in the woodshed,” I advise.
“Never stepped on a nail before,” he grumbles as he steps down from the treatment table.
I follow him out of the room and roll my eyes. I walk over to Rabecca, handing her hischart. “I entered everything into the system.”
“Thanks,” she says with a smile.
