I lift my chin at him. “I didn’t manipulate your brother into forgiving me if that’s what you're thinking.”
Kieran’s gaze flicks to his wife, and I can tell he’s mentally calculating the consequences of whatever it is he really wants to say.
“Can I talk to you in the hall?” he finally says to me through gritted teeth.
I glance at Riley, who gives me a subtle, supportive nod that tells me she will not hesitate to step in if Kieran starts crossing a line.
Ciara gets to her feet. “Let me take Aubrey.”
I don’t miss the anxious way she glances between Kieran and me as I hand the baby off to her.
I follow Kieran into the hallway, my heart racing so hard it feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest.
I knew he was going to be the hardest to convince to forgive me out of all of Cormac’s brothers, but after this weekend and getting a taste of what it is like to be a part of this family, I’m willing to put in the work to show Kieran that I’m deserving of being a Sullivan.
Kieran turns to me once we’re out of earshot of the nursery. “You’re walking a fine line. One misstep, and it’s not just Cormac who suffers.”
His tone is clipped as he gestures vaguely toward the stairs, where I catch the odd word shared between Brennan and Scout coming from the living room.
I am careful to keep my voice steady. “I understand. And I don’t expect you to simply forget what I did.”
“Good, because I haven’t.”
“But I do want you to know that all I want is to do right by all of you, and I’m not going to back down easily. Trust me, I’m in this for the long haul, so you can either fight me the entire way, or you can realize that we’re both on the same side. If not for my sake, then for Cormac’s.”
Kieran studies me for a long moment, then finally exhales as he tucks his hands into his pockets. “You have to know that I want to believe you, but…”
“You want to protect Riley and Aubrey,” I finish, and he nods. “Well, so do I.”
“I’m going to need to see it to believe it, Fiona. I don’t fall easily for false promises.”
“Then it’s a good thing I don’t make them.”
That evening, the entire Sullivan family sits around the dinner table together, including Aubrey and the twins.
I don’t think my smile falters for the entire meal, mostly because Brennan and Cormac bicker back and forth, with Scout playing the role of the middle man, leaving Ciara and me with tears in our eyes from laughing so hard.
After the plates are cleared, Ciara disappears into the kitchen and comes back, carrying a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
Scout immediately reaches for them. “Auntie Ciara, your chocolate chip cookies are the best!”
Brennan shakes his head. “Don’t believe a word this kid says. He’s fickle as shit.”
Ronan raises a brow. “What did I say about cursing in front of the kids?”
“To do more of it?”
Ciara steps up behind Ronan and wraps her arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t push his buttons, Brennan. You know what a grumpy old man he is when it gets past his bedtime.”
“Is that code for?—”
“Absolutely nothing.” Ciara pats Ronan on the arm. “I still haven’t forgiven you for making me push out twins.”
Kieran chuckles. “Rough luck, brother.”
Riley huffs. “Speak for yourself. Marrying a Sullivan should come with a warning.”
“One that warns you that your lady parts will never be the same again after birthing a giant baby.”
