Page 81 of Secret Sins

"Bailey Moon, Van's fiancé."

My mother went back to the magazine in her lap. "Have you knocked her up and left yourself with no choice?"

Since there was really no point in continuing the conversation, I turned away from her and headed down the hall. My father glanced up as we passed, and he even said my old name. But I kept going, Bailey by my side, to the room Mike had told me they were in.

I knocked first, and Mike opened the door. "Van, Bailey!"

He hugged us both, and I made my way over to the bed. "Been lying around all day making everyone wait on you?"

Beth smirked. "Try shoving a bowling ball through your ass first, and then we'll compare notes about lying around."

Leaning over, I hugged her, surprised when she didn't let go. The head of the bed was raised enough that it wasn't too uncomfortable, but it was awkward.

"I love you, and I'm sorry to inflict Mom and Dad on you," she said in my ear.

As soon as she released me, I straightened. "It's only fair to have them here for this."

"Maybe, but I've already threatened to throw them out. Dad keeps acting like no one here has ever successfully delivered any babies, and it's driving the staff crazy."

At her description, I grimaced. "I hate to be the one to tell you, but that's what he was doing just now."

"Mike!" Beth yelled. "Just go ahead and tell the nurse to ban them from the entire damn hospital!"

His expression full of chagrin, he replied, "I sincerely doubt they'll throw out one of their own, but I'll relay the message."

Mike walked out, and Bailey came closer. "Have they always been this sanctimonious?"

"Not until after my attack. I don't know if they were disappointed in me or what, but they became much colder toward me. And then later, I wouldn't write off my brother as they had, so it made them even angrier."

"Fortunately, I've moved past their betrayal. It doesn't bother me anymore." The words were true—I felt them deep in my gut—and yet a small part of me wished it were different.

"I remember how many times my therapist had to repeat that it wasn't my fault before I believed her." Beth settled back into the pillows a little more. "It's not as if I spend all my time worried about what they think of me, but for Christ's sake. Their first grandchild is about to be here, and all they can think of is themselves."

Those memories were prevalent as we pulled up to the house my sister and her husband owned. Balloons were obvious from the driveway, floating high above the tables set up in the side yard.

My father's BMW sat there, a neon beacon of the shitshow to come.

"Ugh, they're here?"

"Sorry," was all I could offer to my wife.

"I expected it, but I guess I hoped I was wrong."

Rounding the car to open her door, I helped her stand and stretch out the kinks after so many hours of sitting down. "It's weird, because I never think of them throughout the year, so it's almost as though they don't actually exist."

"Until they pop up at your sister's house like a dark specter coming to suck out your soul."

Beth came out the front door, my niece on her hip. "I'm so happy you made it."

After exchanging hugs, I took Gracie from her to carry her back into the house. Thankfully, she wasn't the type to cry over strangers, at least not yet. We'd seen each other a few months ago when Bailey and I got married, but I doubt she really recognized me. Our wedding was small, simple, and exactly what we wanted. After changing my name legally, I'd applied for the marriage license, and we'd gotten an officiant to carry out the ceremony. My vet tech job made me happy, and I got off early enough to help Bailey close the store before making dinner and spending the evening together. More importantly, I was proud of myself and my career.

Beth stopped in the kitchen, where Mike and a few of their friends, whom we didn't really know, were standing. "How's the reno coming?"

"Not bad, now that I've learned how to tile." Gracie buried her face in my neck, and my soul felt completely at peace.

"I still can't believe it's ours," Bailey said.

Though it was rambling and too large for the two of us, it was my biggest wish to give Bailey anything she wanted. One day, the house would be spectacular again and perfect for a big family with future generations. We'd managed to secure the house on the cliff before our wedding ceremony, so we had the sunset and the sea as our backdrop.