AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, it makes me feel guilty!” I cried. “Like I’ve stolen something. Like I’ve taken on a life that never belonged to me.”
“But theydobelong to you,” she countered. “You were given a beautiful gift, and this gift belongs to you now. All three of you.”
“I know,” I said quietly.
“Duncan youlovethese children,” said Delilah. “There’s no doubt about that. I’ve seen it in all three of you — you’re natural-born fathers! I see it in the way the twins look at you, smile at you. The way their faces light up whenever you come home.”
“But Jace and Courtney belonged to Roman and Kara,” I sighed. “They were their parents, not us. We’ve loved them parentally, but it always was uncles. As outsiders. But now… now it’s starting to feel…”
Delilah squeezed my hand gently. “Feel like what?”
“Like they’ve always been ours.”
My throat felt thick now, my voice low. Delilah let me sulk for a few seconds, but a few seconds was all she gave me.
“Duncan, what are you doing in Southold?”
The question took me off guard. “You know what we’re doing. We’re rebuilding the estate.”
“Exactly. But you’re not doing it for Jace and Courtney. Trust me, they could grow up in a shack with the three of you. Giggling and laughing and loving you just as much as they do now, in that big old mansion.”
I went to open my mouth but she shushed me.
“No, you’re rebuilding it for Roman and his wife. You’re doing it to honor yourfriend,and to make sure his legacy is never forgotten — especially to the children he left behind.”
She turned sideways in the seat. With her fiery eyes, and her lips all pouty and full, she’d never looked more beautiful.
“Nothing in the world would make your friends happier than what you’re doing right now,” she said. “Neither you, nor Liam, nor Julius should ever feel guilty for taking on this responsibility, because you’re doing the whole thing out of love.”
She was right of course. She’d been right all along.
“And there’s one other thing you’re forgetting, too,” Delilah said, her voice softening. “Something you shouldn’t.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Now you’ve gotme.”
