Page 106 of Derecho

Birdie smiled, her hand landing on my knee. “Whatever you have to tell me, you can just say it when you’re ready.”

My mouth was suddenly so dry I almost started coughing. “I’m sorry. That’s what I need to tell you. I’m sorry that it’s taken me twenty-eight years to become strong enough to stand on my own two feet. That I let our parents leaving us become something that scarred me so deeply I lashed out at you. For years. I’ve been a terrible sister, and you never deserved any of my anger. You were…” I cleared my throat, but it didn’t stop the tears from welling in my eyes. “You are the best big sister. You’ve been the best mom to me. I look at Juniper and just am in awe of how lucky she is to get to grow up with you as her mother. You stepped into an impossible situation by raising me, and I always knew you’d have my back. Even now, I never doubt it. And Juniper will have that, too. I’m sorry that you had the burden of looking after such an ungrateful little sister for so long. And I’m going to figure out a way to show you I’ve changed.”

“I love you, Lainey.” Birdie grabbed onto my hands and squeezed. “You were never a burden. You were my first baby. You’ll always be everything to me. And I’m so sorry I didn’t have the tools or the resources when you were growing up to help you process everything that had happened. But I’m never walking away from you.”

“You were growing up, too, though. It should never have been all on your shoulders.”

“There are so many things I would do differently now, but I just didn’t know better back then. And I was scared that someone would separate us. I’m sorry I didn’t do more to get us into a better situation.”

“No. Don’t apologize. Everything good, every happy memory I have from growing up, is because of you. You should feel so proud of how well you did.”

“You know what I’m so proud of? I’m so proud of the woman sitting here with me today.”

“I love you, Birdie.”

“I love you, too, Lainey.”

The tears kept coming as we embraced each other, but I felt lighter than I had in years. I heard the front door open, heavy boots resting against the floor as my sister pulled away.

“Hey, there are my girls!” Daniel walked into the house, smiling. “And one of my very handsome grandsons.”

I stood, wiping the tears away from my eyes.

“Uh oh, what happened? Why are you both crying?” He swiped his finger over Reid’s cheek before pressing a kiss into my temple. “Lach’s not having a bad day, is he?”

“No,” I answered, my face pulling tight at his question. “Why?”

“Well, it’s not like him to let the two of you out of his sight. Especially if you’re upset.”

“Not upset.” I laughed. “Just happy sister stuff.”

“Okay,” Danny’s eyes narrowed like he didn’t believe me.

“The guys not being here is my fault.” Birdie laughed. “I vetoed Beau tagging along.”

“And I vetoed Lach.” I smiled at my sister. “Told him to stay back so we could have sister time.”

“Ah, I see. Makes sense now why those two knuckleheads were together when I called Beau.” Danny walked over to Birdie, giving her the same greeting he’d just given me. Warmth bloomed in my chest. I’d never had a dad in my life, and I was always jealous of the relationship Birdie had with the Fords. But life still brought me here. To a family who welcomed me with all my baggage and didn’t ask me to hide it away. They embraced it. Embraced me. Daniel and Dolly welcomed me like I was always meant to be their child…and that was something so unexpected and so beautiful.

“Lain? You okay?” Birdie asked.

“Oh yeah,” I choked out. “Sorry. I’m fine. This place is just really coming along.”

“I know. I planned to put all these special little touches in here for you and Reid⁠—”

“You’re moving out of Lach’s place?” Danny asked, his entire body going stiff.

“No. I’m not. I promise. Birdie and I had thought at one point this place might be perfect for me and the baby, but it’s not my home. It’s meant for someone else. Because we already found where we belong, didn’t we, Reid?” I asked, dropping my eyes to Reid, who was scrunching his nose up while still fast asleep. “Daddy would be so upset if we weren’t right there with him.”

“Oh my heart.” My sister was now the one with tears in her eyes.

“Glad it’s all working out how it’s supposed to. You’re so good for him, Lainey. You and Reid. We’re blessed to have both Calloway girls in this family.” Danny cleared his throat. “Alright. Enough of that sappiness. I swear, the older I get, the softer my heart goes, and adding more girls to the family is just making me a big ol’ marshmallow.”

“Marshmallows always were a staple in the Calloway girls’ house.” I smiled.

“Good to know. Hey, Birdie, have you seen my jigsaw? Beau borrowed it a few weeks ago for something out here, and Doll’s got an itch for me to finish something up at the house.”

“Oh, yeah. Come on, it’s in the garage. Lainey, if you want to come out, I’ll show you the tile I picked for the back splash!”