AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We continue laughing and talking, settling into our formerly easy routine with Vanessa and Darin, like no time has passed and nothing has changed. Even though, in many ways, everything has.
Jack and Rosalyn come outside a few minutes later. “So this is where the party is at?” Rosalyn moves across the patio gracefully, leaning down and kissing Irelynn’s cheek. “Hi baby girl. How are you?”
She smiles up at her mom. “Great, actually.”
Rosalyn squeezes her hand, then moves her eyes to mine. “You look much better.”
My grin widens as I squeeze her daughter against my chest. “I’m feeling so much better today.” I wink when Irelynn meets my gaze.
“Glad to hear it.” Rosalyn steps to the side, letting her husband greet their daughter.
“Hey, kitten. How’s it going?”
Irelynn’s face lights up. She adores her mom, but she’s definitely a daddy’s girl. “I’m great. How are you?”
He gives her a wink. “Feeling much better today.” His brown eyes move to me. “As I’m sure this guy is.”
I raise my hand, fist bumping him. “You know it.”
Jack sits in the chair beside us, pulling Rosalyn onto his lap. My heart melts. Her parents are adorable together and I hope Irelynn and I will always be like them. Devoted and supportive. They are a cohesive unit, no matter what life throws at them. And still so deeply in love.
Irelynn bites her lip and I meet her eyes. Nodding, I squeeze her arm, giving her strength, as she rolls over, sitting up between my legs. I follow her movement, wrapping my arms around her waist as I raise the chair into a sitting position, my front warming her back.
“Mom, Dad. I need to talk to you about something.” She takes a deep breath, then lets it out. “I don’t know how to say it, so I’m just going to say it. I think I need to do a medical leave of absence from college this semester.”
Jack and Rosalyn’s faces were pinched tight with worry, but now they collectively release a breath, all the tension draining from them. “Of course, sweetheart. That’s not surprising to us at all.” Rosalyn leans forward, grabbing Irelynn’s hand.
“No surprise at all. And we aren’t at all disappointed.” Jack puts his hand on top of both their hands. “We are proud of you for taking care of yourself. There’s no shame in it, kitten. Your dreams will wait. But it’s more important that you give yourself time to heal.” He leans forward, his eyes intent. “If you want to talk to a therapist, I can refer you to a really good one. And her clinic handles a wide variety of issues, including grief and loss. You could possibly do your clinicals there when you are in graduate school if you choose to go in that direction.” He smiles at her. “Whatever you want to do, sweetheart. We support you and are proud of you.”
“Absolutely, baby girl. Life is full of twists and turns. I once majored in marketing. But later, changed to education, then became a teacher.”
Jack smiles at her, then at me. “I was a Criminal Justice major. Then I switched and made it my minor, choosing Psychology as a major, before going on for a master’s degree in School Counseling.” He clears his throat. “I had a few life changes that made me start and stop my education. And your mom and I charted our own course. We got married while we were in college. It pissed many people off, but luckily, her parents were supportive. But even if they weren’t, we would’ve done it anyway. We knew what we wanted, and that was to be together for the rest of our lives.”
Irelynn tilts her head, looking up at me and meeting my gaze. I wink at her, clearly telling her that’s what I want with her.
Her eyes and smile soften before she turns back to her parents. “Thank you, both. I love you.”
“We love you, too, baby girl.” Rosalyn leans forward, kissing Irelynn’s cheek. Jack holds onto her tightly to keep her from falling as she does.
Meanwhile, his eyes lock on mine, a knowing smile forming on his lips. He nods, a silent understanding passing between us. He won’t be the slightest bit surprised when I tell him my proposal plans and ask him for his help. I’ll also need Darin’s help to pull it off.
But there’s time. I don’t want to rush her.
We have the rest of our lives together.
Chapter twenty-six
Max
October16,20181:30p.m.
Holding Irelynn’s hand as she dabs at her other eye with a tissue, I give it a gentle squeeze, silently showing her my full support. Except for the tears, quietness descends over Darin’s living room as Irelynn finishes telling her parents, Vanessa, and Darin about her experience while she was in William’s captivity.
Jack clears his throat, locking eyes with Irelynn. “William has had a very difficult childhood, and never received the love and support he needed to grow into a more… um… functional, adult. It sounds like you were able to help and reach him, kitten.” His eyes are full of admiration. “I’m proud of you for being able to pull out the positives in that situation.”
Vanessa leaps to her feet. “Are you two crazy?” Her hands push her hair away from her face as she turns her frustrated face toward Jack, then Irelynn. “Daddy McD, I expected better from you.” Then she turns to Irelynn. “And you—”
In an instant, I’m on my feet, my temper flaring. I get right in Vanessa’s face. “You need to calm it down, right the hell now, Vanessa.” I stare daggers at her. “Don’t you ever attack Jack or Irelynn in my presence again. Go outside if you need to gain control of your emotions, but donotlash out atthem.”
