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“Freya told me.”
“Okay,” she said, and I was confused.
“That’s it?” I furrowed my brows.
“She’s not my mother. She’s a terrible person who obviously deserves to be locked up. Charlotte, Emilia, Julia, Alex, Sofia, Jenni, and Grace are mothers. They are everything a mother should be, not that woman sitting in a prison cell. I appreciate your telling me, and I love you even more, but it doesn’t matter. I barely even remember her, and that’s how it’s going to stay.”
I was shocked yet amazed by her strength.
I brought my hands up and cupped her face. “I am so in love with you.” I smiled.
“I love you, too.” Our lips met.
I pulled her into me and held her head against my chest as the waves crashed against the shore. When we got back to the house, I ran upstairs to change my shirt because we were going to Four Kinds for dinner.
“That was a brave and bold move, Grayson.”
I turned around and looked at Freya as I grabbed a new shirt from the closet.
“I’m not keeping secrets from her, Freya. She had the right to know. Why didn’t you stop me?” I asked.
“Because we know she’s in a better place since she met and fell in love with you. She’s stronger than ever. She knows it, and so do we. But that doesn’t mean we’re going anywhere.” She waved her finger at me with a smile.”
“I wouldn’t expect nor want you to.” I walked over and kissed her forehead.
She closed her eyes, and when they opened, her brows furrowed.
“Why did I come up here?” Ava asked.
“You said you wanted to freshen up your makeup before we headed to the restaurant.” I smiled.
“That’s right.” She kissed me and went into the bathroom.
* * *
Two Weeks Later
It was a Saturday afternoon, and we all gathered for a barbecue. We set up the volleyball net, water games for the kids and spent the day hanging out together as a family. Christian, Charleigh, and I had the weekend off from the hospital, so we decided to make the most of it.
As I tipped the beer bottle to my mouth, I couldn’t help but chuckle when I saw Logan and Lily holding hands.
“Does Stefan see what’s going on over there?” I glanced at Sam.
“I think he just did.” Sam laughed as we watched Stefan walk over there.
He took his hand, karate-chopped theirs apart, and walked away.
“Dad!” Lily shouted.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kind,” Logan shouted.
“I don’t think you are, kid.”
We sat there and laughed as we drank our beer. After we ate and the sun set, we lit the bonfire, gathered around it with our guitars, and played some music. I glanced over at my brother and smiled at him as he strummed his guitar. The happiest times of our lives were when we moved to Venice Beach to be with our family. If we hadn’t, I would never have met Ava and become the man I am today. She changed my views on love and relationships and made me the happiest man in the world. My heart had never felt so full as it did being with her. Not only did she love me, but all the parts of her loved me too. They accepted me as much as I accepted them. I felt like the luckiest man alive to be loved by not just one woman but by six.
She walked over and sat on my lap. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her tight.
“I love you.” I smiled.
