AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turned around to see George’s eyes skittering back and forth between us, and Jace smiling happily.
“You guys okay?” I asked softly. “Your dad is springing this on all of us at the same time.”
“I’m good, Momma. Will I have to leave Alex?”
“I don’t want you to have to leave Alex. That would not make me happy,” I answered. “George? You okay, honey? You must be used to his steamroller behaviour.”
“You’re not mad anymore?”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Mad? When was I mad?”
Jace interrupted. “My mom is super emotional. She’s usually happy.” He paused. “I only ever saw her mad one time. That was scary.”
“When was that?” I asked, curiously.
“When that man at the grocery store pushed past Yiayia and she nearly fell.”
I winced. “Yes, well, that wasn’t my best moment… but he had it coming to him.”
Jace laughed. “There was that other time when my teacher kept Alex and I after school and forgot to call you.”
“Well, I was worried out of my mind. That was a stupid reason for a detention in any case,” I grumbled.
“I remember when that kid punched Alex and you went and knocked on his door and talked to his parents.”
“It was the right thing to do. He shouldn’t have punched Alex.”
“There was that other time-”
“Oh my gosh!” I yelled and saw George flinch. “Stop telling George all my sins or I’ll take you to Yiayia and she can boil you!”
Jace laughed. “She’d just pinch my cheeks.” He turned to George. “I think that’s worse than boiling.”
George laughed and I was relieved. I took note of his reaction to tell Vander later.
Vander
As long as I live, I will never forget the pain on Ruby’s face, and the uncertainty on George’s, when they came face-to-face for the first time.
I told George our story when I first told him about Ruby, and he immediately worried that she would be angry with him. I assured him she would not, and I prayed I hadn’t lied to him.
When she refused to look at me, the bottom dropped out of my world. In that moment, I knew fear, and I knew I’d do anything to keep her. Even if I had to resort to steamrolling. I’d steamroll her right into bed, then I’d steamroll her to the nearest church, even a courthouse. I would not lose her again.
Once she fell asleep in the car, the boys loosened up and started talking. I listened, not for what they were saying, but for the sheer pleasure of hearing their voices. George had always brought light to my life. Jace was beyond my wildest dreams. Having them together, with me, with Ruby?
Unfathomable.
Walking into the condo with them fed my craving to have Ruby and Jace move in with me. When George came home, life would be just like this for the four of us.
The boys dumped their bags at the front door, then immediately unpacked Jace’s PlayStation and hooked it up to the television.
I watched Ruby as she puttered about, searched out the bedrooms, poked around the kitchen, opening the cupboards and the drawers, checking out the fridge, and peeking into the oven. I grinned to myself. I wonder what she thought she’d find in there.
She headed to the family room, checked out the books on the shelf, turned the lamp on then off again, checked the thermostat, then turned to the sliding doors and stepped out onto the balcony.
I followed her out.
She stood with her hands resting lightly on the railing, taking in the view of the mountain, the forest, and a pie-shaped slice of the village.
