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“Liv—”
“You know I am not his biggest fan. I just think you should really give him a chance. You don’t have to forgive him. I’m not asking you to, but please just hear him out. If not for anything, for Jason’s sake. He didn’t have a dad for seven years. Now that he’s here, please don’t rip them apart a second time.”
There was a short rasp on the bedroom door. “That must be him. Please just hear him out.” She rose and opened the door for him. He mouthed a thank you as she brushed past him. My heart clenched at the sight before me. His eyes were swollen, and it looked like he hadn’t slept a wink in two days. His normally perfectly sleek hair was ruffled, and it looked like he’d run his hands through them at least a hundred times —something that he only ever did whenever he was frustrated.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly. “You look a mess.”
“And you look like a dream.”
“Don’t do that. I’m only giving you this audience because Olivia begged me to.”
“I knew I liked her.”
“Lies. You wanted to talk. I’m all ears.”
He glanced around the room and fiddled with his shirt button. “Would you like to sit?”
“Uhm, yeah. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, out with it.”
“I’m sorry, Zoey.”
“For what?”
“Everything. I’m sorry for treating you the way I did. And for yelling at Jason too. I have no excuse. I was just so distraught. My dad is an amazing man, an even better father and husband. Quite a big shoe to fill, if you get what I mean. I want to do better, and that was why I was upset when you told me about Jason being my son. I don’t want my son to live without a father’s love. I was harsh, Zoey, and I was wrong to have taken it out on you like that.”
“I’m sorry too. I tried to find you, Adrian, but I was scared, alone, and orphaned. I had no means of tracking you down. And when I saw you again, I was intimidated. I’ve heard cases of wealthy men taking their kids away. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
We stayed like that, staring at each other. “God, what do we do now? I’m just so confused.”
I chuckled. “Me too. But first, I think it’s time to tell Jason.”
“We will, but first, I want to do this,” he said, and gently his lips met with mine. It was a dream of a kiss. Unlike all our other kisses, it was sweet and tender. He gradually increased the pressure until I opened up to him. His mouth swallowed my moans, and his hand pulled me impossibly close to him as he deepened the kiss.
I heard a little sound at the door and looked back in time to see Jason trying to ‘escape’ with Ted hot on his heels.
“You don’t need to run, baby. Come in.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I just wanted to hear if we’ll be going back home. I miss my sisters.”
Adrian and I exchanged a look as I pulled my son closer. Our son. “Yes, bud. We’re going home. But first, I need to tell my big boy something,” I placed a kiss on his forehead. A part of me was scared of how he would react. Until Adrian placed his hand on mine and gave me a reassuring look.
“Bud. So you know how you always asked about your birth father?” He nodded gently. “Jason, this is him.”
His eyes went from confused to realization.
“Bud.”
“Why did we not live with him when I was younger?”
“Because, baby. We lost contact. There was no way for your dad to find us, and I couldn’t find him either.”
He bit his lip. Staring at us both as if trying to make a verdict. “Does that mean Rosie and Aurora are my real sisters?” I could sense a hint of excitement seeping into his voice, and I released a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. He turned to Adrian and said, “And I can call you Daddy now and you won’t get angry?”
“Of course, bud. You are my son, and I’m sorry for not being available sooner. And I’m sorry for yelling at you. It won’t happen again.”
My heart melted as Jason jumped into Adrian’s arm and felt a few drops of tears trickle down as father and son were locked in a bone-crushing hug.
