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Leonie runs to him and Kieran crouches down to her. Something happens in my chest when I see him with kids.
“Hi, I’m Aurora. You were a baby the last time I saw you.”
“Hi, Aurora, I’m Leonie. I have so many questions.”
“Give us a few minutes to change clothes, and then we’ll talk, okay?”
She nods, and Kieran and I go upstairs. His mood has plummeted, and I doubt it will improve tonight.
In the shower, his entire body is stiff with tension. He closes his eyes, his hands balled at his sides. I uncurl them, smiling at him, and some tension slips away. He pushes me up the wall and slams his lips on mine, devouring my mouth as if it can take all the unease away.
We pant when the kiss ends, and he places his forehead on mine.
“I wanted to take you out and celebrate.”
I stroke his arm. “It’s okay. We can do that another time.”
“My mother, she can be—”
She doesn’t like me, and it pains me. She was such a huge part of my life when I was little. Nora and my mother were best friends. I guess her resentment transferred to me. It was definitely hard for her, my mother, her best friend, and her husband. The betrayal must run deep. The thought alone of Chiara and Kieran would make me go berserk.
We quickly dress, and then we head downstairs.
“If she continues being rude to you, I won’t stand for it.”
I take his hand in mine, interlacing our fingers, and say, “She’s hurting, Kieran.”
“But you are not to blame.”
I love how he would protect me even against his mother, but this is also not right.
“She’s your mother. She loves you.”
He scoffs and cocks his head to the side. “No, she doesn’t.”
I refuse to believe that.
In the dining room, we find Nora smiling at the little one, so much love shining in her eyes, but it vanishes the moment we step inside.
We take our seats at the table and she says, “Can’t I have dinner with just my kids, without the daughter of that woman?”
“The daughter of that woman is my wife, Mother. Aurora’s place is next to me. This is her home too.”
“It’s okay, Kieran.”
Nora looks at me, surprise transforming her face, but he shoots me a warning look and I remain seated.
“You’re pretty,” Leonie says.
“Thank you, you’re prettier.” She giggles and continues eating.
The silence is so stiff my back might break.
When we finish eating, Leonie asks her mother if she can go to the kitchen. Thinking it would do them good if I let them have a moment, I extend my hand. She takes it and we walk to the kitchen.
“I found this new cookie recipe. Can we make it together?” she asks Tamara, eyes sparkling.
“Let me finish this up first, sweetie.”
