“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Flora gushes. “He’s such a nice boy. He’s helped with some of the construction at the library when we needed to remodel a couple of years ago. You remember him, don’t you, Vincent?”
“Sure, I used to play cards with his father before he passed. He loved those boys something fierce. Things goin’ well?”
“They are,” I admit slowly. “I just…”
“Whatever it is, Tanner, we will help you anyway we can,” Flora coos gently, reaching across the table to place her hand over mine. “I can see you’re struggling to find the words, so how about a funny story?”
“Sure.” I agree, picking a piece of my turnover off and popping it into my mouth. Flaky, buttery pastry hits my tongue and I already feel better.
Flora’s cooking always seems to have that effect.
“Otto sat in that same seat when Fallon and Briggs landed back here. He was tryin’ to tell me how he’d fallen in love with Briggs and that he wanted to show Fallon that he wanted to step up and be a partner, but what came out wasI love him.” She grins and I do the same. “We love all our kids no matter what, but that threw me for a loop considering he’s been pinin’ over Fallon for his whole life.”
“I can imagine.”
“Anyway, I hustled outta my chair and wrapped him in a hug, thinkin’ he was declaring his love for a boy he’d been keeping a secret.”
“I guess it was a boy in a way.” My chest warms at her story, at the way Otto had fallen in love with my son and the reassurance that I—we—are safe and loved here.
“It was, just not the way I imagined.” She squeezes my hand. “Now, who is it I have to have a talkin’ to?”
“That’s my job, Flora,” Vincent murmurs behind her and I let my shoulders sag.
“Things were hard when I told my parents Fallon and I were getting a divorce, but they became strained when I came out to them, my father especially. I’ve had such a hard time feeling like it’s okay for me to be happy.” Clearing my throat, I add, “I talked to my mom today and realized why.”
“Flora…” Vincent’s voice is low and full of warning, making her huff as she glances back at him.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re thinkin’ it,” he replies.
“I’mallowedto think it,” she insists pointedly to her husband before giving me a sympathetic smile. “How can we support you? You should know you’re one of ours, right?” she says, and I nod. “Good. So, you tell us what you need. Family dinner? Or we can keep it intimate and have dinner just the four of us. As long as he treats you right, he’s always welcome here.”
This time I’m not quick enough to stave off the tears, one escaping the corner of my eye to slide down my cheek.
They never had to accept me.
But they welcomed me with open arms.
They welcomed their son’s new girlfriend’s ex-husband into their home and lives without a second thought.
They don’t have to love me.
But they do.
I feel the love radiating from Flora, and while Vincent is a little more stoic, I know that he cares, and I know that he’d weather any storm by my side because that’s the kind of man he is.
“I think I’d like to bring him here, for dinner.”
“Wonderful. You just let me know when it works for you and we’ll take care of the rest.”
“I can’t tell you what this means to me.” My voice is hoarse with the admission becausethisis what I’ve been missing. I don’tneedanyone’s approval, but I can’t deny the way it lights me up inside and makes me feel like I belong.
Like I’m worthy.
“You,” Vincent booms, the volume startling me a bit as his serious blue eyes meet mine, “are part of this family. Flora tends to be more vocal about things but only because she speaks for metoo, for all of us. You’re family and whoever you love, we’ll love too.”
It’s the conviction in his voice that breaks the dam, tears now flowing freely down my cheeks as I press my fists into my eyes. I can hear the scrape of the chair and the combined footsteps of them both, but it’s Flora’s arms that surround me and Vincent’s hand on my shoulder that grounds me in this moment.
