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“She’s been doing this a lot lately,” Sophia said, her voice soft with sadness.
Pepper slid her arm around Sophia’s shoulders. “Should we go see if we can help? Perhaps the men can stay here and we’ll just go find Mom. Okay?”
Sophia nodded and Charlotte led her and Pepper out of the room. Ari stood in the hallway, his arms wrapped around a sobbing Megan, stroking her hair.
Sophia laid her hand on her mother’s back and Charlotte felt a vibration of sorts. She glanced at Pepper, who cocked her head. She’d obviously felt it too.
Before they could ask about it, Megan stepped away from Ari, wiped her tears, and forced a smile. “I’m so sorry. That was rude.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Charlotte said. “This is all really overwhelming, so please feel free to cry or whatever if you need to.”
Megan nodded. “I just really, really want to hold you both.”
Without hesitation, Charlotte and Pepper gathered their mother in their arms, the three of them taking a moment to reconnect on a physical level, even as their emotions calmed in proximity to each other. Megan cupped Charlotte’s cheeks and then Pepper’s as she studied her daughters. “I missed out on so much. Can you ever forgive me?”
Ari sighed in frustration. “Stop apologizing for something that was not your fault.”
Megan frowned. “I should have protected my babies, Ari. It is my fault.”
He dragged his hands down his face, but didn’t respond. At least not audibly.
“Well, I don’t think any of this was your fault,” Charlotte said.
“Me neither,” Pepper agreed.
“You’re both very gracious.”
“Mom. I really would like to know the full story now,” Sophia said.
Megan smiled. “You’ve been waiting a long time, honey, huh?”
“Ya think?”
“We wanted to tell the three of you together,” Megan explained. “So, Sophia’s feeling a little left out of the loop.”
“Are you up to it?” Ari asked.
Megan took his hand. “Yes. I’m fine. I just needed a cry.”
He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them.
“You know, we can talk privately, Megan,” Charlotte offered. “It doesn’t have to be done with everyone else. They will understand.”
“Connall might not,” Pepper countered. “But I can deal with him.”
Megan smiled again. “This is family. I have no problem sharing what we know with them.”
“Give us a moment, hmm?” Ari requested.
Charlotte held her hand out to Sophia who took it, and Pepper followed them back to the family room. The men stood as the ladies entered the room and Charlotte stepped into Niall’s arms.
You okay?
She nodded, giving him a squeeze.
Ari and Megan returned a few minutes later, and Grace handed them both a glass of wine. She handed Charlotte a bottled water and then sat with Max again.
“Thanks, bestie,” Charlotte said.
