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Vada clenched her teeth and fought against her tears. Real mom. Those weren’t Allie’s words. They were Vada’s mother’s. Hades was right. The doubt was there. The damage was done. Allie was now questioning her place with Vada. I let this happen. Vada would shoulder all the blame. But she refused to allow Allie to buy into her mother’s rhetoric. Vada and Allie had a special bond, and no one, not even her own mother, would come in and break it.
Vada had to choose her words carefully. She needed to be honest, and forthright without any confusing psychology. Vada just needed to be real.
“Real mom.” Vada sighed, rubbing her hand over Allie’s back. “Do real moms tuck you in bed, make sure you brush your teeth, and only let you have soda on special occasions? Or let me see, do real moms play in the park, help you with your homework, and make you grilled cheese sandwiches on rainy days? And take care of you when you’re not feeling well and snuggle on the couch?”
Allie gave a small nod.
“And…” Vada paused. “Do real moms love you more than anything else in the world? And worry when you’re sick and miss you when you’re not with them? And when you’re sad, all they want to do is make it better? Is that how real moms feel?”
“Yes,” Allie whispered.
“So you see,” —she slid her hand over Allie’s cheek— “I am your real mom.”
“What about when you have a baby? Will he be my real brother?”
Again, Hades was right. Vada’s mother’s words cut deep. It had Allie doubting everything she’d known. Everything Vada had promised.
“Yes. Everything about me and you and your dad? Our family? Is real. And that includes any new brothers or sisters.”
Allie perked up and knitted her brows. “I only want brothers.”
We’ve got a fifty-fifty chance.
“Brothers it is.” Vada stifled her chuckle. The mood had instantly lightened. It was a relief, and Vada hoped, going forward, this would never be an issue again. There was never a reason for Allie to question how much she meant to Vada. She means everything. Vada could’ve walked out, and it all would’ve been good. But she doubled down.
“One more thing, okay? It’s really important, and I need to you to promise me, you’ll remember it and never forget.”
“Okay.” Allie nodded. “What is it?”
Vada drew in a deep breath before whispering, “You were my first.” She swallowed the knot in her throat. “You made me a mom, Allie. You. You’re a part of me, in my mind, in my heart, and in my soul. You are mine.” Her breath hitched, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “Mine.”
“I love you too, Vada.” Allie scooted closer until they were inches apart. “You want me to tell you a secret now?”
“Yes,” Vada whispered.
Allie got up on her knees and wrapped her arms around Vada’s shoulders. “If I could pick any mom in the world. I’d pick you, Vada.”
Vada hugged Allie. Maybe tighter than she ever had. This moment had to mean something. It had to stick so Allie would never forget that Vada was her mom. Her eyes welled, and she rubbed Allie’s back.
This was a prime example of the highs and lows of parenting.
****
Hades stood a few feet away from Allie’s bedroom door. It was cracked open and gave him the perfect opportunity to hear everything Vada said to her. And what Allie said to Vada. He drew in a breath, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders. They were good. Both of them.
Hades stepped back into his bedroom from the hallway. Vada had come through for his daughter once again. Deep inside, he’d known she would. There wasn’t anything Vada wouldn’t do for her. And vice versa. Hearing Allie’s words melted him. Those two had a bond stronger than most mothers and daughters.
Now, it was Hades’ turn to make it right with Vada. He’d been hard on her. What happened wasn’t Vada’s fault, but he’d treated her like it was. After taking some time to think about it in the garage, it became abundantly clear. Hades had taken his anger for her mother’s words out on her. Made her think somehow she’d been responsible. Then he’d unleashed a devastating blow. He’d seen it on her face the second the words left his mouth, ‘my daughter.’
Fuck.
Hades walked to the closet, pulled off his shirt, and tossed it into the hamper. He glanced up at the door leading to the hallway. He wasn’t sure how long Vada was going to be with Allie, but he’d wait. He made his way to the bed, sat, and started to unlace his boots. He froze when he heard the car engine start-up. What the fuck? He shot up, followed the sound to the driveway, and looked out the window. The headlights on Vada’s minivan were on. It hadn’t moved, and from his angle, he could see her phone illuminated.
He couldn’t be sure who she was texting but assumed it was Trista. He’d fucked up tonight and came at her too hard. He should’ve handled it the way Vada had with Allie. Instead, he’d gone off on her. Hades had always had a short fuse, but when it came to his daughter, it was non-existent. The thought of Allie being hurt had every vein in his body pumping molten blood.
Hades tightened his brows when he noticed the reverse lights, and she slowly started to back out. Where the fuck was she going?
Hades didn’t bother tying his boots; he stalked out of his bedroom, down the stairs, and out the front door. Vada was at the street’s edge.
